Beaufort County high school students earn regional honors in 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
BEAUFORT – Beaufort County School District high school students have once again earned regional recognition in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running recognition program for creative teens and one of the largest sources of scholarships for young artists and writers.
Students from Bluffton High School, Hilton Head Island High School, Beaufort High School, and May River High School received Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention distinctions for their original work in drawing, photography, ceramics, sculpture, fashion, painting, illustration, mixed media, and experimental photography.
Gold Key awards, the highest regional honor, were presented to:
Bluffton High School
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Bianca Picasso – Hidden but Homey (Drawing) – American Visions Nominee
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Maxima Poletto – Fall Foliage (Ceramics)
Hilton Head Island High School
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Charlotte Hussey – Re-Arranged (Sculpture)
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Sophie Olander – Bloom in Twilight (Mixed Media)
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Rhett Marshall – Superman (Experimental Photography)
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Sienna Schutz – Transformations of Africa (Drawing)
Bianca Picasso’s Hidden but Homey was also named an American Visions Nominee, a distinction awarded to a small number of regional Gold Key works selected as the best of the best to represent their region at the national level.
Gold Key recipients advance to national adjudication. Silver Key awards recognize exceptional ability, and Honorable Mention awards highlight great skill and emerging artistic voice.
Silver Key winners included:
Beaufort High School
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Sofie Steen – I Returned From the Woods (Illustration)
Bluffton High School
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Iyari Chacoj Leiva – Still Life (Photography)
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Bianca Picasso – Peace Perspective (Drawing)
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Maxima Poletto – Perfectly Plump (Ceramics)
Hilton Head Island High School
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Aubrey Cranford – Transformation (Drawing)
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Sophie Olander – The Black Dress (Fashion)
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Christina Walker – Low Country Nights (Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage)
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Ella Shaw – Mystic Water Blossom (Photography)
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Taim Taylor-Rivera – Streak of Love (Experimental Photography)
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Sienna Schutz – Forever a Son, Father, Husband and Grandfather (Drawing)
May River High School
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Samantha Shipps – Midnight Drive (Painting)
Honorable Mentions were awarded to:
Bluffton High School
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James Anderson – Atlanta 16 (Photography)
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Bianca Picasso – A Ripple in Calm (Painting)
Hilton Head Island High School
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Aubrey Cranford – The Memory Project (Drawing)
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Sienna Schutz – Bloom (Drawing)
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Aubrey Cranford – Hello (Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage)
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Arhirany Garcia – Dock Dreams (Photography)
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Jeremiah Walters – Mj Through The Loop (Photography)
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Jeremiah Walters – Holding The Moment (Photography)
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Tyrese Howard – Dark Marsh (Photography)
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Taim Taylor-Rivera – Rose Quartz Horizon (Photography)
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Kylie Moberley – Action Smokebomb (Photography)
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Ella Shaw – Gaze Breaking Through Darkness (Experimental Photography)
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Tyrese Howard – Spikes (Photography)
May River High School
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Ma’kaely Cairo – Beetles (Painting)
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Hanalyn Weitekamper – Bramble and Unlikely Enemies (Illustration)
“Each year, our students continue to demonstrate extraordinary creativity, technical skill, and powerful personal voice through their art,” said Superintendent Frank Rodriguez. “Their work reflects not only talent, but also dedication, courage, and a willingness to share their perspectives with the world. We are incredibly proud of them.”
According to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, works are judged on originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal vision or voice. Alumni of the program include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, and Ken Burns.
The Beaufort County School District congratulates all student artists and their teachers for this outstanding achievement.