Twelve SCH writers have been recognized by The Philadelphia Writing Project, in partnership with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers with 13(!) 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, Scholastic Awards are judged by an esteemed panel of luminaries in the arts and chosen for their outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice and vision.
SCH students were distinguished in 9 different categories, from Flash Fiction to Humor, and Journalism to Science Fiction & Fantasy. Congratulations to all our award winners:
Julien Friedland ’25 | Gold Key (Senior Writing Portfolio consisting of 6 distinct works & Honorable Mention (Journalism) for Potential Closure of Chestnut Hill West Threatens SCH Student Commute )
Jude Hackford ’27 | Gold Key (Humor) for How I Became a Human Piñata
Eliot Villasis ’25 | Gold Key (Science Fiction & Fantasy) for The Blind Swordsman
Griffy Whitman ’25 | Silver Key (Journalism) for Dean by Day, BBQ Enthusiast by… whenever there’s time!
Leah Laudenbach ’25 | Silver Key (Journalism) for If the World is Your Oyster, Your World Isn’t Doing So Well
Sofia Lima ’25 | Honorable Mention (Short Story) for Management Quarters
Hunter DiRienzo ’25 | Honorable Mention (Science Fiction & Fantasy) for The Attic
Trevor Saccomandi ’25 | Honorable Mention (Flash Fiction) for The Mirror Skillet
Brendan Flatow ’25 | Honorable Mention (Journalism) for Baseball Recruiting: What Is Happening?
Charlotte Harris ’28 | Honorable Mention (Critical Essay) for Boo to Arthur - Boogeyman to Savior
Gray David ’28 | Honorable Mention (Poetry) for 33
Adina Jeremiah ’26 | Honorable Mention (Dramatic Screenplay) for Childhood in Transit
“We are so proud of the amazing accomplishments of these talented writers,” said Rebecca McWilliams, chair of the English Department. “What an honor it is to have 11 of our very own students selected for this prestigious award. Kudos to their wonderful teachers as well for nurturing their passion for writing!”
Entries that win a Gold Key are automatically considered for National Awards later this spring.
Seated, from left: Hunter DiRienzo ’25, Adina Jeremiah ’26, Leah Laudenbach ’25, Sofia Lima ’25, Charlotte Harris ’28; Standing, from left: Julien Friedland ’25, Griffy Whitman ’25, Trevor Saccomandi ’25, Gray David ’28, Eliot Villasis ’25, Jude Hackford ’27, Brendan Flatow ’25.
Read about our art winners here.