East Rockaway Jr./Sr. High School students have earned significant recognition at the 2026 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, one of the nation's most prestigious competitions for student artists.

The district's young artists brought home 67 regional awards: 13 Gold Keys, 21 Silver Keys, and 33 Honorable Mentions. The honored works span multiple disciplines including photography, drawing, painting, mixed media, digital art and portfolio categories.

Each submission was evaluated by panels of creative professionals who assessed originality, technical skill and personal voice. Gold Key winners will advance to the national level of judging in New York City, placing East Rockaway students alongside some of the country's most talented young artists.

This level of recognition reflects both the dedication and creativity of our students and the district's continued commitment to arts education, said ERHS teacher Kelly Cabasso. Opportunities like these help students build confidence, develop their artistic voices, and compete at the highest levels.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, has recognized creative teenagers for nearly a century. Regional award winners join a legacy that includes celebrated artists, writers and creative professionals who were honored as students.

The East Rockaway School District continues to prioritize arts programming as an essential component of student development and academic excellence.

Click here to see their amazing work