Throughout the halls of Stephen F. Austin High School, Fort Bend ISD senior Zarya Smith stands out not just for her academic achievements, but for her remarkable writing and artistic talent. Smith was recently honored with a regional Scholastic Gold Key Writing award, a prestigious recognition that celebrates the creativity and dedication of young artists across Harris County. 

For more than a century, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the longest-running program of its kind, has provided aspiring teen writers and artists with a platform to showcase their talents and gain recognition. 

Smith’s award-winning story focuses on the duality of preparing for the future while simultaneously prioritizing the present. “A Promise of Home” is centered on two sisters, one always living for the present and one too busy planning for the future to enjoy what’s around her. The story reflects her own experiences as a high school senior.  

“This story was, in a way, an outlet for me as a high school student,” said Smith. “In my senior year now, I am forced to think about my future and what comes next, while also trying to prioritize the present. The idea of the story was to reconcile two pieces of advice: ‘look forward and make sure that your future is very clear’ with, ‘appreciate the present moment.’”  

Her story not only captures the challenge of balancing future aspirations with present realities but also highlights the importance of having supportive relationships.  

“The significance of the title comes from a feeling of belonging,” Smith explains. “With the future so uncertain, it’s hard to know where you’ll end up or where you want to go. The title was meant to convey the significance of this ‘promise’ that you’ll get where you belong if you ‘do this’ or ‘do that,’ but at the end of the story, the sisters find that promise in each other.” 

Smith’s passion for writing began in elementary school, where the creative teen would develop comic books and stories whenever she got her hands on lined paper. Though she paused her creative writing at the beginning of high school, she credits her sophomore English teacher, Kristy Pennington, for reigniting her passion for writing.  

“If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have known that the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards existed,” said Smith. “Because of her, I was able to rekindle my love for writing by entering into writing competitions.” 

Although Smith is now a senior, Pennington continues to be a mentor and source of encouragement for her, even writing her college recommendation letter.  

“When I write college recommendation letters, I always ask ‘Why are you interested in this?’,” explained Pennington. “She talked about wanting to make a difference and wanting to be a change-maker. And she will.”  

The 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, facilitated by Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), received over 12,000 entries this year, with many students earning Gold Key and Silver Key recognition. These awards not only celebrate the talents of young artists and writers but provide a foundation for their future success.  

For Smith, winning the Gold Key is a hopeful sign that writing could be a viable career path, though she currently plans to attend Purdue University in Indianapolis and study Electrical Engineering.  

“I see engineering as an artform, in and of itself,” explained Smith. “You’re using math and science to create something. I like the idea of putting myself into something and bringing it to life.”  

Smith added that in addition to studying engineering, she plans to continue to write and create art, and remains open to the possibilities of the future, potentially even authoring a book. 

Outside of writing, Smith has many interests and talents, including digital art, photography and theater. In her spare time, she has also taught herself to speak French. Her diverse interests and hobbies reflect her multifaceted personality and her drive to learn and grow. She is also no stranger to receiving awards for her writing. This year she received her second Scholastic Gold Key award, and she is even published in a book of short stories by young authors. 

Smith will be celebrated at the Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Ceremony on March 27, along with her fellow award winners. Her award emphasizes the importance of programs like the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to showcase their work.  

“While Zarya came into my class as a very gifted writer, I think what I saw grow the most throughout the year was her confidence,” said Pennington. “It builds [students’] confidence when people outside of their circle notice and recognize them.” 

Smith added that the greatest benefit from entering the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is self-growth.  

“Writing a competition piece forces you to think a little bigger and try things you wouldn’t normally try, creating better writers and artists,” said Smith. “Awards like this make me hopeful that writing is something I can potentially pursue in the future.” 

Read Smith’s full story, “A Promise of Home,” below.