Katherine Bakaleynikov, a student at Council Rock High School South, has been named as a recipient of a Gold Key award in the 2023 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards by the Regional Affiliate, the Philadelphia Writing Project. Gold Key award-winning submissions automatically advance to the national level where work is considered by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts.

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth, and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated. Each year, increasing numbers of teens participate in the program, and become a part of the community—young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers—along with countless educators who support and encourage the creative process. The Philadelphia Writing Project, an urban site of the National Writing Project, is Philadelphia's oldest teacher network dedicated to the teaching of writing.

Junior Katherine Bakaleynikov of Council Rock High School South, received a Gold Key in the Humor category for their submission entitled “A Vaguely Steampunk-Looking Hell.” She is the daughter of Vitaliy and Olga Bakaleynikov of Ivyland, Pennsylvania.

Two Council Rock High School South students received Silver Key awards in the category of Personal Essay & Memoir; both are Scholastic Writing Award winners for the second consecutive year. Senior Danya Shalchi won the Silver Key for her submission entitled “Roots.” Junior Michal Brown Hunte, received a Silver Key for her submission entitled “Numbers – A Girl’s World.”

Four Council Rock High School South students received Honorable Mention awards. Junior Neha Abraham was recognized with and Honorable Mention award for her poem entitled “Dreams.” Junior Aullie Gomez received an Honorable Mention for “Seasons Change,” in the category of Personal Essay & Memoir. Edan Kauer, also a junior, was awarded Honorable Mention status for her Personal Essay & Memoir entitled “Menstruation Madness.” Junior Sabrina Dukhon won an Honorable Mention for her short story, “ Don’t Let it Out.” Sophomore Elizabeth Viscusi received 2 Honorable Mention awards: one in the Personal Essay and Memoir category, entitled “Dear Mom,” and another for the poem “Bulimia.”

For more information about the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards including past winners, see https://www.artandwriting.org/.