Art is rarely neat. It spills, smudges, and takes unexpected turns. It’s the unfinished brushstroke, the crumpled draft, the unsculpted clay—in other words, the moment of uncertainty before an idea fully forms. And yet, this very messiness is the process of creating, questioning, and reimagining—and it’s something that our young artists at AFS have learned to embrace as they explore themselves and the world around them.
This year, we are so proud that several of our Upper School artists were recognized in the Scholastic Art Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious program for creative teens. Each of these pieces tells a story—some deeply personal, others imaginative and surreal, all reflecting the passion and thoughtfulness of their creators.
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Anna Lena Cassidy ’26
“This piece of art is a picture of me and my sisters in our garden that we always used to play in together.”
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Daniel Lahtaw ’25
“A childhood memory of learning the meaning behind my name, ‘Daniel.’”
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Aquila Mixon ’25
“I wanted to distort natural imagery with abstract patterns in order to communicate how I use my imagination to escape from difficult parts of my life and myself.”
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Alexia Paulin ’26
“This work was inspired by the saying ‘hair holds memories.’ I have been growing my hair out for the past four years, and this idea has stuck with me. I wanted to visualize how my growth in self-acceptance is rooted in holding onto memories—even the hard ones—and embracing all the different versions of myself.”
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For Will Ortega ’25, art was an opportunity to step into the surreal. He received an honorable mention for a painting in acrylic portraying “two bizarre creatures performing some sort of strange and spiritual ritual beneath the stars.” A portfolio of his sculptures took home a Gold Key, entering him into consideration for Scholastic’s National Awards. Alongside him are three other Gold Key recipients: Alexia Paulin ’26, Piper Konz ’26, and Nimo Ren ’25.
Will Ortega ’25
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Piper Konz ’26
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Nimo Ren ’25
