Hillsborough County Region 2021

Presenting Sponsor Hosted By

“To give those high school students who demonstrate superior talent and achievement in things of the spirit and of the mind at least a fraction of the honors and rewards accorded to their athletic classmates for demonstrating their bodily skills.”

− M. R. Robinson, 1923, Founder of Scholastic, Inc. Joining a Legacy By receiving a Scholastic Art & Writing Award, our students join a legacy of celebrated authors and artists such as Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates and Andy Warhol, all of whom received recognition in the Awards when they were teens.

National Submissions This year, teens ages 13 and up from across the nation in grades 7-12 submitted more than 110,000 works of art and writing to the Awards through more than 100 local Affiliates of the Alliance. These Affiliates host exhibitions in museums and galleries across the country, showcasing their best art and writing.

About the Awards The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s largest, longest running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for teenage artists and writers. Since 1923, the Awards have recognized teenagers from across the country for their unique vision and voice in 29 categories including architecture, painting, flash fiction, poetry, printmaking, video game design and more.

Recognition After the Awards National Medalists will be announced in March 2021, and Gold Medalists will be celebrated virtually for the National Ceremony. All National Medalists are eligible for a wealth of additional opportunities, such as inclusion in the Art.Write.Now.Tour traveling exhibition, and in The Best Teen Art and The Best Teen Writing anthologies. National Medalist poets are considered for the National Student Poets Program, the nation’s highest honor for young poets presenting original work.

Hillsborough Region 2021 Art & Writing Awards

Virtual Ceremony: March 4, 2021

EducationFoundation.com/ScholasticArtAndWritingAwards

Exhibition: March 5th-13th, 10 AM-6:30 PM Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, The University of Tampa

Contributors

Event Presenting Sponsor

Suncoast Credit Union Cindy Helton, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Executive Director

Event Co-Host

Hillsborough Education Foundation Royce Reed, Board of Directors Chair

Kim Jowell, CEO

Event Co-Host Hillsborough County Public Schools

Addison G. Davis, Superintendent Regional Art Affiliate:

Erin Saladino, Supervisor, K‐12 Art Education Regional Writing Affiliate:

Lory Reddel, Supervisor, Secondary Literacy

Exhibition Host The University of Tampa

David Gudelunas, College of Arts and Letters Dean Jocelyn Boigenzahn, Director of University Galleries

2021 Hillsborough Region Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Presenting Sponsor:

2021 Hillsborough Region by the Numbers:

In our seventh year serving as the Hillsborough Region Affiliate for Art & Writing, students entered more than 1,500 submissions, with 327 writing entries and 17 writing portfolios along with 1,163 art entries and 27 art portfolios.

Our regional judges selected 247 art awards and 96 writing awards, including 82 Gold Key Awards, 96 Silver Key Awards and 165 Honorable Mentions. From the Gold Key Awards, judges then selected 5 American Visions Nominees for art and 5 American Voices Nominees for writing.

Exhibition Host:

The Hillsborough Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards extends thanks to The University of Tampa, College of Arts and Letters for their support in hosting students, teachers, and families at this 2021 Art & Writing Exhibition.

Special thanks to:

About the Judging Freedom of Expression: There are no restrictions or mandates on subject matter.

Blind Judging: Judging is determined on a merit basis with only the art object under review. Judges do not have knowledge of the students’ identities. Three Criteria: Originality, Technique and Emergence of a Personal Vision or Voice

Originality Judges look for works that reveal an innovative approach to process, concept and subject matter. Originality often manifests itself in works that go beyond the classroom assignment. Exploration of materials, techniques and/or themes should reflect the input of the student in the creative process.

Technical Skill Judges look for demonstration of the student’s ability to work fluently within a particular medium or genre. Technical proficiency may vary across medium or grade group. Judges are called to consider how technical skill has been utilized to advance an original idea or perspective.

Emergence of a Personal Vision or Voice Judges look for evidence of the writer/artist’s unique style, sensibility and perspective and how that is displayed through the piece of writing or art. Judges are looking for work that represents a sense of the student of works that are individualistic in their presentation, execution or ideas.

2021 Hillsborough County Region Art & Writing Awards Judges

Shawn Amos George Anderton Janice Andrews Patricia Beach

Amanda Bedford Terry Bigelow

Elizabeth Brown Autumn Dent

Kimberly DeFusco Lynn Dougherty

Holly Ewing Kristen Ferrin Jose Gelats

Jennifer Gilgan Candice Hall

Jennifer Hamilton Julie Hauswirth

Michael Lewis Jane Murray Lewis

Mark Mai Blaine Maurice

Roger Mills Courtney Nucjel Marta O’Brien Victoria Pagel

Erin Parke Eva Philpot Mary Ross

Stanton Storer Madeline Sweitzer Melisa Toothman

Caroll Vick R. Lynn Whitelaw

We also extend our appreciation to our generous sponsors of this year's Judges Awards—providing special recognition for specific art pieces the

art judges felt are worthy of additional applause.

Emma Abel Ghost Train Grade: 11 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Honorable Mention

Shannan Adams The Flood Grade: 11 Plant High School Teacher: Christina Porcelli Award: Honorable Mention

Iman Ahmed Wilt of the Flower Grade: 12 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Honorable Mention

Iman Ahmed Not Found Grade: 12 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Honorable Mention

Kristina Alexander Return to Antiquity Grade: 12 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Mary Wilson Award: Honorable Mention

Daniel Almaguer-Rojas Isolation Grade: 12 Middleton High School Teacher: Christine Munoz Award: Honorable Mention

Ana Alvarado The Beginning of the End Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Catherine Amburgey Daisy Scouts Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Elena Andrade Graves Disease Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Honorable Mention

Neija Arroyo Rat Dragon Grade: 11 Brandon High School Teacher: Erin Mulvihill Luke Award: Silver Key

Maia Atlas Lo Siento (I'm Sorry) Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Maia Atlas Photographing the Stars: An Ode to the Hubble Telescope Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Maia Atlas Challenger Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Tommy Aviso The Sidewalk View Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Alaina Babb the peacock Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jennifer Martin Award: Honorable Mention

Gwyneth Baehr Madeline Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Gwyneth Baehr Sheba Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Aidan Bai Emotions Grade: 11 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Silver Key

Carolina Barcenas Dainty Flowers Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Isabel Baudrit Reflection of Me Grade: 11 Bloomingdale High School Teacher: Diana Speedy Award: Silver Key

Isabel Baudrit My friend Eli Grade: 11 Bloomingdale High School Teacher: Diana Speedy Award: Honorable Mention

Isabel Baudrit MLK Grade: 11 Bloomingdale High School Teacher: Diana Speedy Award: Gold Key

Isabel Baudrit Your Face Lies Dormant In My Mind Grade: 11 Bloomingdale High School Teacher: Diana Speedy Award: Honorable Mention

Hudson Beachy Hudson Beachy Portrait Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Hudson Beachy Kitty Krunch Cereal Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Hudson Beachy Andrew McCutchen Typography Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Gold Key

Hudson Beachy Leave Me Alone Album Cover Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Gold Key

Josie Behar Lankin Dome Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Silver Key

Josie Behar Kabuki Vessel Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Silver Key

Josie Behar A Little Dream Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Honorable Mention

Grace Beilman Perfect Poison Grade: 11 Steinbrenner High School Teacher: John Vona Award: Gold Key

Grace Beilman Shoulders Grade: 11 Steinbrenner High School Teacher: John Vona Award: Silver Key

Lily Belcher Back To The Bases Grade: 11 Durant High School Teacher: Elizabeth Lennon Award: Silver Key

Katie Bell Trance Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Katie Bell In Too Deep Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Katie Bell Patience Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Katie Bell Almost Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Katie Bell Tomorrow Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Katie Bell Dissonance Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Carla Beltran Venezuelan Childhood Grade: 11 Durant High School Teacher: Aaron Bowers Award: Honorable Mention

Adam Bennett Band Logo Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Adam Bennett Adam's Portrait Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Davis Boling In memory of Stan Lee Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Noelle Booth Candle Poster Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Sarah Boyd Anticipating Your Call Grade: 12 Steinbrenner High School Teacher: Kris Watkinson Award: Honorable Mention

Sarah Boyd Tea Time Grade: 12 Steinbrenner High School Teacher: Kris Watkinson Award: Honorable Mention

Audrey Brandt Relaxation, Interrupted Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Honorable Mention

Reagan Brown Surrealism Piggybank- Cactus Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Silver Key

Reagan Brown Finger Sculpture Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Honorable Mention

Rocco Cafaro celebrity in color Grade: 11 Newsome High School Teacher: Jes Otterbacher Award: Gold Key

Gabriela Caldeira Bearing Fruit Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Gabriela Caldeira On the Docks Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Devon Caldwell Motherhood Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Sienna Caldwell Surrealist Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Silver Key

Ben Canning Paranoia Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Silver Key

John Carter Galactic Puffs Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Keith Cassidy In the hoop Grade: 12 Freedom High School Teacher: Ryan Lavigne Award: Silver Key

Keith Cassidy Black and white Grade: 12 Freedom High School Teacher: Ryan Lavigne Award: Gold Key

Ella Castellano Achilles' House of Cards Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Gold Key

Audrey Cecil Don't Look at Me Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Silver Key

Audrey Cecil Who is Who? Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Silver Key

Audrey Cecil The Swimmer Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Honorable Mention

Emma Centrone The colors and shapes of Identity Grade: 10 Plant High School Teacher: Brian Taylor Award: Gold Key

Heath Chancey Project Pathways Kiosk Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Gold Key

Daniel Chavez Tech-Ocean Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Emerson Combs Hand Grade: 8 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Honorable Mention

Violet Correa The Violet and Timmy Show Grade: 8 Davidsen Middle School Teacher: Vanessa Smith Award: Silver Key

Zuhe Costa Lacking Control Grade: 10 Alonso High School Teacher: Shane Heath Award: Honorable Mention

Sara Coughlin Pop Smoke Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Gabriella Davis We're All Fighting Growing Old Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Gabriella Davis A Letter From a Coward Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Gabriella Davis [Redacted] Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Gabriella Davis Agent Goldilocks Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Saige Davis Drawing Grade: 11 Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School Teacher: Madeilynann Mitchell Award: Gold Key

Brantley Deady Album Cover Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Ryan DeAngelis Clouded Thoughts of an Angry Bastard Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Silver Key

Nata'jah Diggs The Rabbit Hole Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key, American Voices Nominee

Nata'jah Diggs Prayer Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Kennith Donaldson Garbage day Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Kennith Donaldson the worlds ending Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Mia Duran-Rivas Making Representation Grade: 8 Orange Grove Magnet School Teacher: Hilda Muinos Award: Honorable Mention

Abigail Ellis B&W Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Camila Estrada Lock-down Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Camila Estrada Ternura Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Alexa Evangelista queen of color Grade: 12 Plant High School Teacher: Brian Taylor Award: Gold Key

Simeon Fagbodun Solitude Grade: 12 Middleton High School Teacher: Christine Munoz Award: Silver Key

Muhammad Falah Ain't that a Kick in the Head? Grade: 12 Paul Wharton High School Teacher: Curt Steckle Award: Gold Key

Elaine Feaster Whispering Woods Grade: 10 Freedom High School Teacher: Ryan Lavigne Award: Honorable Mention

Holden Fernandez 2020 Vision Grade: 10 Jesuit High School Teacher: Kathleen Clark Award: Honorable Mention

Carolina Fernandez Noriega niñez Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Carolina Fernandez Noriega piscina Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Carolina Fernandez Noriega communication Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Carolina Fernandez Noriega ventana Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Izael Figueroa Latinx Locks Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Honorable Mention

Leah Fisher Pink vs. Blue Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Gold Key

Taylor Ford Faces Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Taylor Ford Etching Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Elliot Francolla The Good Old Days Grade: 10 Plant High School Teacher: Brian Taylor Award: Honorable Mention

Sarah Frank A Pandemic in Poetry Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Sarah Frank Upon Reflection Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Sarah Frank The Suburban Dream Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Sarah Frank Love is Cold Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Sarah Frank Vinyl Records on Repeat Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key, American Voices Nominee

Sarah Frank a blur in the background Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Daniel Gabriel Neon Lights Grade: 8 Davidsen Middle School Teacher: Vanessa Smith Award: Honorable Mention

Benjamin Gamez Octo Tentacle Grade: 7 Beth Shields Middle School Teacher: Juan Duarte Award: Honorable Mention

Miriam Gamson The Little Red Shirt Grade: 10 Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School Teacher: Andrea Rinard Award: Silver Key

Amari Gant The Lady Mae Henderson Grade: 12 Dr. Lennard High School Teacher: Kristen Hebbard Award: Gold Key

Venecia Garcia-Jimenez Zoe, My Little Angel Grade: 8 Orange Grove Magnet School Teacher: Hilda Muinos Award: Gold Key

Grey Gayle spiraling Grade: 10 Plant High School Teacher: Brian Taylor Award: Honorable Mention

Alice Gonzalez against the gold, in the blue Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Alice Gonzalez an elegy to procrastination Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Alice Gonzalez the cartoon villain Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Alice Gonzalez An Elegy To My Kindergarten Teacher: Santa Santiago Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Alice Gonzalez Patient Zero Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Alice Gonzalez The Four Horsemen Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Alice Gonzalez The Pianist Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Mea Gonzalez ITS TIME TO ACT Grade: 9 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Gold Key

Nicole Gonzalez Then I wrote. Grade: 12 Tampa Preparatory School Teacher: Mia Franz Award: Silver Key

Katherine Griffin Chapel Cat Grade: 8 Burns Middle School Teacher: Pamela Reeves Award: Honorable Mention

Sarah Grove Abstract Lion Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Honorable Mention

Jordyn Gwinner The Deal Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Quinten Hall Prohibido. Grade: 11 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Silver Key

Isabella Haman Drowning Grade: 11 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Mary Wilson Award: Honorable Mention

Keira Hamilton Heavenly Body Types Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Gold Key

Elena Hangen The Red Couch Grade: 10 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Honorable Mention

Elena Hangen Hidden Heritage Grade: 10 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Silver Key

Elena Hangen Red Thread Connection Grade: 10 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Silver Key

Mia Harbaugh Larkspur - an elegy to my roots Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Mia Harbaugh Skeletons Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Mia Harbaugh Journal Entry Number 12 - Excerpt From Chapter Eleven Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Mia Harbaugh Great Lakes - an elegy to Marlene Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Mia Harbaugh The Airport Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Mia Harbaugh In A Mask Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Mia Harbaugh Journal Entry Number 12 Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Mia Harbaugh The Ghost Of Orion Ryker Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Abigail Harnetty Jaws in the Sky Grade: 11 Bloomingdale High School Teacher: Diana Speedy Award: Honorable Mention

Gaby Hernandez Person Grade: 8 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Thaddeus Erdahl Award: Silver Key

Gaby Hernandez Shadow Grade: 8 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Thaddeus Erdahl Award: Honorable Mention

Mayra Hernandez El Asado Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Gold Key

Mayra Hernandez La Feria de Las Flores Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Gold Key

Samuel Hernandez Sam the Great Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Honorable Mention

Joseph Hickerson Solis and Luna Grade: 11 Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School Teacher: Jennifer Gilgan Award: Silver Key

Ariana Hill Paradise Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Ariana Hill Creature Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

DJ Hooker Holes Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Wren Hoversten Poster Design Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Wren Hoversten Stop Motion Animation Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Thaddeus Erdahl Award: Gold Key

Zev Huneycutt CERES Logo Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Camelle Jasmin Broken Minds Trailer Grade: 12 Spoto High School Teacher: Grace Regan Award: Honorable Mention

Jolina Jasperson Heading Out Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Gold Key

Jolina Jasperson Beetle Backpack Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Jolina Jasperson Strawctopus Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Silver Key

Jolina Jasperson Revelations Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Gold Key

Jolina Jasperson Butthead Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Gold Key

Annabelle Jenkins Ukulele Business Card Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Jamarion Jenkins portrait submission Grade: 11 Middleton High School Teacher: Christine Munoz Award: Honorable Mention

Brooks Johnson Cereal Box Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Jzsleigh Johnson 1820-2020 Begin Yet Again Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Jzsleigh Johnson Black in America Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Zahed Kachhi Zahed Movie Poster Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Brooklyn Kash Mainstream Rebel Grade: 12 Durant High School Teacher: Emily Godheim Award: Honorable Mention

Olivia Kasper Hallucinations Grade: 12 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Honorable Mention

Olivia Kasper Lonely Grade: 12 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Honorable Mention

Kendall Ker Life span Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Luna Khan Hope Grade: 12 King High School Teacher: Michele Prado Award: Honorable Mention

Krista Kilburg "Teddy" Grade: 11 Steinbrenner High School Teacher: John Vona Award: Gold Key

Catherine Kraack Shaded Thoughts Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Catherine Kraack Decks of Duality Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Gold Key

Catherine Kraack Blindly Submerged Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Catherine Kraack October Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Carter Kreis Music Grade: 11 Jesuit High School Teacher: Kathleen Clark Award: Honorable Mention Kendall Kudla Squiggles Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Stuefer Award: Honorable Mention

Megan Laurion On The Edge Grade: 12 Durant High School Teacher: Emily Godheim Award: Honorable Mention

Olivia Elle Lawson Fallen Angel Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Olivia Elle Lawson Everlasting Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Peyton Lawson Lightbulb Moment Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Peyton Lawson Self Portrait Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Brianna Lee Frame of Mind Grade: 11 Paul Wharton High School Teacher: Curt Steckel Award: Honorable Mention

Brianna Lee Whose Hues Grade: 11 Paul Wharton High School Teacher: Curt Steckel Award: Gold Key

Venecia Lee Despair Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Gold Key, American Visions Nominee

Venecia Lee Mommy! Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Silver Key

Emma Lefferts The Politics of Phi Zeta Beta Grade: 10 Tampa Preparatory School Teacher: John Bamford Award: Honorable Mention

Jenneh Lesaldo Adoration Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Tom Brandt Award: Honorable Mention

Chela Levy The Instant Deformation of a Butterfly in Pixels Grade: 8 Orange Grove Magnet School Teacher: Hilda Muinos Award: Honorable Mention

Haley Lipkins Giraffe in the City Grade: 10 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Silver Key

Andrew Livingstone De opresso liber Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Honorable Mention

Andrew Livingstone Chase Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Gold Key

John Paul Llanos The American Song of Hopes and Dreams Grade: 11 Jesuit High School Teacher: Kathleen Clark Award: Honorable Mention

Zachary Long Outhouse Grade: 12 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Honorable Mention

Laura Lopez Trapped Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Laura Lopez House of Smoke Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Isabella Macchione The Truth Behind The Dinner Bell Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Aryana Makati Helping the Heroes Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Christine Ortega Gaurkee Award: Gold Key

Yaryan Maldonado scanner Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Wilmer Marcano SI3 Grade: 12 A. P. Leto High School Teacher: Jackie Lucas Award: Honorable Mention

Juan Martes Krazy & Trippy Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Julian Martin Lust Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Jacob Maskin The Vengeance of Anubis Grade: 11 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Silver Key

MIclaude Masseus Three Insecurities Grade: 10 Sumner High School Teacher: Valerie DeLuca Award: Honorable Mention

Akshita Mathur Lost Generation Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Akshita Mathur Patterns of Personality Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Akshita Mathur Seams of Myself Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Akshita Mathur Where is My Reflection? Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Alisha McCue Hurricane Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Bradley McElfatrick My dog ate my homework Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Silver Key

Kaitlyn McHugh Big Pond, Small Fish Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Kaitlyn McHugh Monochrome Rainbows Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Kaitlyn McHugh Playing with Lives Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Kaitlyn McHugh Strong Heart in Spirit Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Kaitlyn McHugh On Lacking a Medical Degree Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Amelie McLeod The Dream Sequence Grade: 11 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Honorable Mention

Amelie McLeod Her Grade: 11 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Silver Key

Natalie Medina Talam Grade: 9 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Maya Mehta The Crown Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Honorable Mention

Emily Melendez Longing Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Emily Melendez The Light Through the Trees Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Emily Melendez Life in the Vivid Dream Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Gold Key

Olivia Milburn Watercolor Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Silver Key

Olivia Milburn Kitchen Sink Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Drew Miller Emotion #2 Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Trip Miller TTYL Grade: 11 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Honorable Mention

Adriana Mininno faith Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Pranshu Modi Alone Grade: 8 Louis Benito Middle School Teacher: Cheyanne Causby Award: Silver Key

Pranshu Modi Time Goes Fast Grade: 8 Louis Benito Middle School Teacher: Cheyanne Causby Award: Gold Key

Kiara Moore Buried Alive Grade: 11 East Bay High School Teacher: Kiara Moore Award: Honorable Mention

Jenna Morris In the Midst of it All Grade: 12 Durant High School Teacher: Aaron Bowers Award: Gold Key

Jenna Morris 45 Grade: 12 Durant High School Teacher: Aaron Bowers Award: Gold Key

Jenna Morris Self Portrait Grade: 12 Durant High School Teacher: Aaron Bowers Award: Gold Key

Giana Moussa Light Rainbow Concept Artwork Grade: 10 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Silver Key

Cheyenne Muldowney Heather Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Amanda Murdock Quiet Grade: 11 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Honorable Mention

Danica Muroff Color effervescent Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Nandita Nair The Red Tree Grade: 9 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Gold Key

Kai Nelson Biden Challenges Trump to Push-Up Contest in Lieu of Debate Grade: 10 Tampa Preparatory School Teacher: Erin Mona Award: Gold Key, American Voices Nominee

Mia Nguyen Pressure Grade: 10 Plant High School Teacher: Brian Taylor Award: Honorable Mention

Nina Nijjer Holy Avocado Grade: 8 Burns Middle School Teacher: Pamela Reeves Award: Honorable Mention

Allysa Nobeza Pandemic Grade: 12 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Mary Wilson Award: Honorable Mention

Melissa Norman Dull Reflection Grade: 11 Sumner High School Teacher: Valerie DeLuca Award: Honorable Mention

Isis Oliver The Diversity of Dance Grade: 8 Progress Village Magnet School Teacher: William Talenti Award: Gold Key

Jaquelin Pallares Less Lonely Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Kaia Parker Landscape of Blake Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Honorable Mention

Madison Parker City Grade: 9 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Cicely Parris Awakening Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Gold Key, American Visions Nominee

Cicely Parris Shelf Space Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Alisha Patel Into a New World Grade: 9 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Honorable Mention

Misha Patel Childhood Movie Poster Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Anushka Patil Postmodernism in Hamilton Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Susan Alexander Award: Honorable Mention

Nico Paula Black Eyed Susan's Garden Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Matt Beharry Award: Honorable Mention

Ryan Pettaway The Cure For the Protection Spell Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Ryan Pettaway Separation of Powers Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Ryan Pettaway Lonely the Night Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Ryan Pettaway Time Grows Impatient Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Kaia Poisall see you soon Grade: 12 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Gold Key

Kaia Poisall boys n the hood Grade: 12 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Silver Key

Kaia Poisall quaranteen Grade: 12 T. R. Robinson High School Teacher: Susan DiFederico Award: Honorable Mention

Melissa Quintana Me Grade: 9 Riverview High School Teacher: Emily Griest Award: Silver Key

Aubrey Rahaim Cody Grade: 12 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Serena Ramos Self-Portrait Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Serena Ramos Wings in the Wardrobe Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Gold Key

Serena Ramos Rose Necklace Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Gold Key

Isabel Reyes Ignorance is Not Bliss Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Isabel Reyes Grounding Exercise for Stressful Situations Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Astro Rivera Dewy Day Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Idelisse Rivera Salana Grade: 8 Martinez Middle School Teacher: Lori Deitz Award: Silver Key

Jared Rivera Santiago Only A Dream Grade: 8 Davidsen Middle School Teacher: Vanessa Smith Award: Honorable Mention

Rachel Rizzi A Cruel Reflection Grade: 12 Tampa Preparatory School Teacher: Stephanie Cardillo Award: American Voices Nominee, Gold Key

Hadassah Roberts Bricks in the Night Grade: 12 A. P. Leto High School Teacher: Jackie Lucas Award: Honorable Mention

Hadassah Roberts Room of Mirrors Grade: 12 A. P. Leto High School Teacher: Jackie Lucas Award: Silver Key

Hadassah Roberts Disturbed Psyche Grade: 12 A. P. Leto High School Teacher: Jackie Lucas Award: Silver Key

Devyn Rolls The Teenaged Anarchist Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Devyn Rolls Sunny Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Yaraida Santos Regret Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Silver Key

Shantal Sarmiento The Ax Forgets, But The Tree Remembers Grade: 9 Sumner High School Teacher: Valerie DeLuca Award: Honorable Mention

Valentina Sarrin Mendoza Valkyrie Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Silver Key

Zaim Sawar ZaimSawar_BuisnessCards Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Gold Key

Sha-Nia Sawney How To Make American Pie Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Gianna Settimi Skewed Blue Line Grade: 11 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Gold Key

Gianna Settimi 2020 or 1963 Grade: 11 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Caitlin Clay Award: Gold Key, American Visions Nominee

Kyle Shah Postmodern Analysis of the Film "US" Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Susan Alexander Award: Silver Key

Katy Shonka Self Portrait Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Katy Shonka Mama Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Katy Shonka I Wish I Could Remember Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Gold Key

Katy Shonka Dream or Memory? Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Katy Shonka Eating the Clouds Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Susan Alexander Award: Honorable Mention

Irena Shpak Noodle Grade: 12 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Honorable Mention

Irena Shpak Chillin' Grade: 12 Walter Sickles High School Teacher: Eric Milan Award: Silver Key

Ali Siddiqui Ali's: The Arcade in Space Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Jamie Farkas Award: Honorable Mention

Evan Simmers Artist's Burden Grade: 10 Bloomingdale High School Teacher: Diana Speedy Award: Gold Key

Anvi Singh Technology as Represented in the Movie The Truman Show Grade: 11 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Susan Alexander Award: Gold Key, American Voices Nominee

Zoë Sleeter The Heavy Crown Grade: 12 Hillsborough High School Teacher: Scott Sleeter Award: Gold Key

Marissa Smith A Dying Star: An Elegy to My Brother Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Marissa Smith Where The Sand Meets the Sea Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Marissa Smith Time Fades in the Midst of a Pandemic Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Marissa Smith Musings of Music Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Olivia Smith Colors Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Ciana Socias 2020 Solstice Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Gold Key

Ciana Socias Summer Symphony Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Ciana Socias Perfect Words Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Ciana Socias Earth on Heaven Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Cydney Socias Antiquities for Venus Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Gold Key, American Visions Nominee

Cydney Socias Recuerdos de Abuelita Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Cydney Socias Ornaments of a working woman Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Cydney Socias Generations Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Jaeda Solon The Hypothetical Love Poem Grade: 10 Steinbrenner High School Teacher: John Vona Award: Silver Key

Mason Steeno The American Revolutionary Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Mike Zelazo Award: Silver Key

Mason Steeno Tomb of the Unknown Camaraderie Grade: 12 Riverview High School Teacher: Mike Zelazo Award: Honorable Mention

Ethan Stephanis Alone Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Gold Key, American Visions Nominee

Ethan Stephanis Running Horse Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Gold Key

John Stewart Accidents Happen, Oh Lord (Hear My Prayer), Overflowing Pond of Tears Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Ashwatha Suresh unnamed Grade: 11 King High School Teacher: Jessie Peña Award: Honorable Mention

Ashwatha Suresh Of Shaving Ice and Horizontal Eights Grade: 11 King High School Teacher: Jessie Peña Award: Gold Key

Ashwatha Suresh EHYEHASHER EHYEHASHER Grade: 11 King High School Teacher: Jessie Peña Award: Gold Key

Ashwatha Suresh Sanguine; Allah Cries with Mama Grade: 11 King High School Teacher: Jessie Peña Award: Silver Key

Chloe Sweet The blade that the mind relies on Grade: 11 Alonso High School Teacher: Shane Heath Award: Silver Key

Chloe Sweet Jane Doe Grade: 11 Alonso High School Teacher: Shane Heath Award: Honorable Mention

Amiyah Sykes Hidden Beauty Grade: 11 Durant High School Teacher: Emily Godheim Award: Silver Key

Archie Teller Frederick Douglass Grade: 11 Jesuit High School Teacher: Kathleen Clark Award: Silver Key

Francheska Tellez Princess of the Castle Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Angelina Tello Quetzalcoatl Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Angelina Tello Hush Now, Quiet Now Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Ethan Tiejema Inner Challenges Outer Grade: 11 Jesuit High School Teacher: Kathleen Clark Award: Honorable Mention

Krystal Tolle Of many faces Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Silver Key

Krystal Tolle Spectrum Of Being Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Linda Galgani Award: Honorable Mention

Krystal Tolle Chained To The Memories Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Honorable Mention

Phuoc Tran The Sisters Grade: 12 A. P. Leto High School Teacher: Jackie Lucas Award: Silver Key

Noah Trevino Rebirth in Flames Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Silver Key

Noah Trevino The Voice Between the Worlds Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Casey Curry Award: Honorable Mention

Penelope Ubau Marks Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Honorable Mention

Penelope Ubau Legacy Built on Lies Grade: 10 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Silver Key

Kiara Vazquez-Valentin Roadkill Brooch Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Emma Chandler Award: Silver Key

Kiara Vazquez-Valentin Juntos en la Cocina Grade: 12 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Gold Key

Olivia Walters Under the Wheel Grade: 9 Berkeley Preparatory School Teacher: Terrie Forester Award: Honorable Mention

Sabrine Warid Mya 3 Grade: 10 Spoto High School Teacher: Grace Regan Award: Silver Key

Camila Velasquez Bubble Pop Grade: 11 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Lenny Cabanero-Harvey Award: Honorable Mention

Gabriela Wang Bloom Grade: 9 Howard W. Blake High School Teacher: Molly Dressel Award: Silver Key

Congratulations 2021 Hillsborough Region

American Visions and American Voices Nominees

Five American Visions Nominees (Art) and five American Voices Nominees (Writing) are selected at the regional level from the Gold Key Awards. A national jury selects 1 to earn the Hillsborough Region American Vision Award, and 1 to earn the American Voices Award.

Senior Gold Key Portfolio Awards Senior students are able to submit a portfolio that represents their range of talents within either writing or art. Of those submitted, judges identify the best as Gold Key Portfolios which are reviewed at the national level for a possible National Gold Medal and $10,000 Scholarship.

We invite you to read and view these outstanding works on the following pages.

Special Awards are graciously provided by our Presenting Sponsor:

Writing Gold Key Portfolio Winner

Muhammad Falah, Wharton High School

Ain’t That a Kick on the Head

Art Gold Key Portfolio Winner

Emily Melendez, Howard W. Blake High School

Life in the Vivid Dream

Writing Gold Key Portfolio Winner Muhammad Falah, Wharton High School

Miguel

Michael Fester was an ordinary man. He lived an ordinary life in his ordinary house with his ordinary possessions. Each ordinary day Michael did ordinary things. He mowed the lawn. He exercised. He did his taxes. Nothing particularly interesting ever happened to Michael. That is, until he attended his Spanish class, for the first time.

Most people attend a second language class for the same reason: to learn a new language. Michael attended a second language class for the thrill. He felt invigorated to get out of his ordinary house. To come inside the dilapidated classroom of the back of a sweatshop and be surrounded by college students and minorities brought ecstasy to Michael’s day.

On Michael’s first day of Spanish class, he made his way into the dilapidated sweatshop, passing the overworked “employees”, and into the classroom. Michael sat in his wooden chair, looking around the classroom. Michael counted 23 people. There were 23 people in that classroom. He turned to face the twelfth person to talk.

“Hey. Why are you taking this class?” “I’m a businessman. And, this is gonna sound stupid, but I wasn’t aware that there were

other businessmen who could speak spanish. Now, I gotta take this class so I don’t become obsolete.”

“You didn’t know that there were spanish speaking businessmen?” Before the businessman could defend himself, a large Puerto Rican man walked into the

classroom. His suit was mahogany in shade, and purple in stain. He addressed the class with a smile and a Spanish accent.

“Hola, class!” The class stared back, confused. “Oh right. Sorry. Hello, class.” Everyone greeted the large Puerto Rican man. “My name is Mr. Felix, and I am your Spanish teacher. I am here to make sure you all

are able to understand and speak the beautiful language of Spanish. Now, let’s go around the classroom and learn everybody’s names. One at a time, everybody say their name, starting from the left and down.” MARY JEN LINK BARTHOLOMEW Karl Suzie

The list continued, until it was Michael’s turn. Michael felt so much energy and adrenaline that he couldn’t focus on his name. He was just too excited. Mr. Felix tried to snap him back into focus.

“Hey. Buddy. C’mon. It’s your turn.” Michael fell back into reality. Upon falling back, Michael must have hit his head,

because he had made a mistake only a person with a head injury could make. “Oh. Sorry. Miguel.” The albino class looked at Michael, awestruck. Mr. Felix was even more surprised.

“Miguel. I like that name. I expect great things from you Miguel.” Michael didn’t correct the mistake. The excitement of his stupidity clouded his

judgement. The class began, and so did Miguel’s story. Michael absorbed the information uttered by Mr. Felix. He took it in but did not take it

out. It remained in the crevices and folds of his brain for the assignment that would change his life.

“Ok class. Your first assignment is to write me a sentence about what you did the other day, in Spanish. Easy.”

It was easy. Michael felt confident in his ability to complete this simple task. “However, since this is a very smart and capable class.” Uh-oh. “I expect none of you to cheat. Specifically, none of you should use translators. If I find

out any of you cheated, you will fail.” Instead of adrenaline, anxiety flowed through Michael like blood in his veins. He sat at

his desk wondering of all the ways he could mess this up. And how badly it would look for Miguel. At home, Michael sat at his desk, pencil in hand. The translator on his table beckoned for

him. He felt inclined to reach for it, but was afraid of what might happen. Michael thought about all the horrible embarrassment that Miguel would endure if he was exposed to have used a translator. Miguel’s don’t use translators. And neither would Michael. Michael gripped the pencil, and began to write.

The translator, to Michael, was Pandora’s Box. If he opened it, all hell would break loose. If he didn’t, he would get a zero. He opened up the translator and typed in his sentence.

I hung out with my friends. Short and sweet. Just the kind of sentence Miguel would write. The next day, Michael turned in his homework. He watched Mr. Felix look it over and

grade it. Suddenly, Mr. Felix looked up at Michael. He was disappointed. “Miguel. Is this what you did yesterday?” Michael nodded his head, lying for Miguel. “So, you are saying that this sentence is completely true?” Again, Michael nodded. “Ok.” The police apprehended Michael the next class, because of an anonymous tip Mr. Felix

had provided. As Michael was being hauled away, Mr. Felix looked to his class and explained the moral. “And that class is why we don’t use translators.” In spanish, on Mr. Felix’s desk, was Miguel’s homework.

“Colgué a mis amigos” (I hung my friends)

Art Gold Key Portfolio Winner Emily Melendez, Howard W. Blake High School

Dreams are one of the strangest phenomenon to exist in this world. A universal human experience, yet one that can never be fully understood. Dreams string together familiar and unfamiliar places, faces of friends and those of strangers, forgotten and remembered memories, fragments of our lives and unconscious mind as a whole... I have strived to visualize these bizarre recollections within my portfolio, by combining, layering, and editing various polaroid and phone images of moments in my own life. In attempt to achieve a hazy and indefinite look, one that is reminiscent of my own dreams and memories.

Nataj’ah Diggs, Howard W. Blake High School American Voices Nominee: Poetry

The Rabbit Hole

My grandmother’s house was split into two Like many homes after Katrina She never got to fixing up both sides, Like many people after Katrina The abandoned side was a fortress Of wooden plank trees, Dust that sparkled like stars, Boxes with taped up treasures And the rigidity stairs, Which was the bridge That lead to our Castle We weren’t supposed to play there So it become our little secret Operation Rabbit Hole The laundry room become A cave Where the big machines hid The secret passage When we reached the other side Everything felt different The queen was gone And the whole world Was Ours And so we played hide and seek Sung the songs from Sabbath School Whispered secrets heard while at church Laughed until our stomachs hurt Sometimes we fought Or laid there Until we could hear the car pull up There was always something to do Or something to find When we were in Wonderland But then I didn’t visit for three years And when I arrived My cousins didn’t race out the door, My siblings were older And the house didn’t seem to shine the same No one brought up The secret place And I wondered how Everything changed without me I’d try to go there, I wanted something That I’m still unsure of, When I pushed aside the machines I was stunned The hole was patched up I knew that I was older But I hadn’t realized that meant I’d be forced from Wonderland

Sarah Frank, Howard W. Blake High School American Voices Nominee: Flash Fiction

Vinyl Records on Repeat He lives his life on repeat. He wakes up in a racecar bed, tucked into his navy sheets, warm and cozy. He falls asleep with a smile on his face and it stays there till the sun rises. His happiness was never endangered by what lie outside his doors.

Despite falling asleep to the silence of an empty house, he wakes up to voice yelling at the top of their lungs. It’s Mom and Dad, tearing each other to pieces.

Nick slides out of bed and runs to his twin.

“Ricky, Ricky, wake up.” Nick pokes and prods his brother till his eyes flutter open.

“What? What is it?” Rick asks. He reaches for his nightstand and fumbles for his glasses.

“Mommy and Daddy are fighting again. I don’t know why they can’t just say sorry and hug.”

“Daddy wasn’t home at bedtime last night,” Ricky said. “Mommy was probably lonely.”

Nick flips onto Rick’s bed.

“C’mon, we gotta get ready.”

They both pull the first thing from their wardrobe and put it on, then sneak into the hallway.

The voices have quieted. The twins move downstairs on tiptoes. Nick is first to see the broken glass and light brown liquid on the floor. It smells strong and sharp, burning his nose.

“What’s that?” Nick asks his brother, pointing to the mess on the floor. Their parents were nowhere to be found, only the remnants of their latest argument.

“Bad stuff,” Rick answered.

Nick nodded. “Let’s just eat our secret cereal.”

It was Rick’s turn to nod, and the two headed upstairs. Rick gently closed their bedroom door behind him and clicked the lock. In the meantime, Nick pulls the stale cinnamon cereal from the closet. Rick holds out his hands, cupping them so the cereal wouldn’t fall out. Nick pours some out for himself, and they eat in silence.

“How much do we have left?” Rick asks.

Nick shakes the box. “Not much. A couple days, maybe.” He then licks the extra cinnamon sugar off his fingers and stows the box back into the closet.

“Boys? Are you ready for school?” Their mother’s voice is just loud enough for them to hear.

“Let’s go.” Rick dusts off his pants and grabs his book bag. It’s weighted with library books and notebooks filled with ideas and stories. Nick’s bag is barren, filled by only a couple notebooks and a broken pencil.

Mrs. Powell’s face glitters in the dim lamplight of their kitchen. It’s easy to see she’s been crying: the bags under her eyes speak volumes.

“Mommy, are you okay?” Nick asks.

She smiles, though her lips don’t part. “Yes, sweetie. I’m okay.”

Mrs. Powell herds them out the front door and they are hit with cool morning air. Nick jumps up and down, hands to the sky, and runs through the overgrown grass to the car. He lets his hands run through the soft blades, and he feels invincible.

The Powell family truck looks forlorn under the maple tree. A precarious tire swing hangs from a weak branch, a reminder of better times. Nick hops into the backseat, his brother beside him. Their mom ambles to the front seat and with half-hearted motions, starts the car.

The ride to school is silent, as Mr. Powell smashed the radio months ago and Mrs. Powell never felt up to getting it fixed. Nick and Rick don’t know what to say, and Mrs. Powell’s mouth is dry and aching. She is speechless.

Nick’s face is pressed against the glass. He watches their overgrown grass be swallowed in the distance. Curiously, he holds his fingers up to his nose and then licks one. If he tried his hardest, he could still taste just a little bit of cinnamon.

Kai Nelson, Tampa Preparatory School American Voices Nominee: Humor

Biden Challenges Trump to Push-up Contest in Lieu of Debate

On September 24th the Biden Campaign issued a challenge to President Trump in the form of a tweet, with Joe Biden posting a video of himself doing ten push-ups, and then pointing to the camera and saying “your turn” before tagging Trump. When reached for comment, the Biden Campaign said, “Joe used to do push-ups with Barack every day. It’s really a way of connecting to his roots, and it’s a contest that he can definitely win.” At a rally later that day, Biden himself spoke about the upcoming contest, saying, “Folks, we’re at a crossroads in American democracy. And it’s vital that we make the right choice. I will do more push-ups than Donald Trump, and I will win back the soul of America. Think about the kitchen table. Think about the empty seat at that table. Now think about me, a seventy-eight year old white man with abnormally shiny teeth doing push-ups in that seat.” Reporters were unable to pick up the rest of the speech, but later, members of the audience reported hearing the former Vice President mutter “malarkey” and “buckaroo”. When the President was reached for comment, he responded by saying, “I can do many many many push ups. Believe me. Many people are saying that I can do more push ups than anyone. A lot of people tell me, they tell me: ‘Donald, I’ve never seen anyone do so many pushups.’ Sometimes I do push ups with Melania on my back. The number of pushups I can do has never been seen before, ever.” A recent poll by the Associated Press showed that 62% of Americans prefer this format to that of a regular debate. When approached on the street, 44 year-old John Hapley of Minneapolis said that “It just seems like at this point a contest of physical strength between two white men in their seventies is an accurate representation of American Democracy”. Ally Steiner of Atlanta, a 53 year-old elementary school teacher, commented: “Isn’t this basically what we’ve been doing this whole time?” Preceding the event, “Q” of the conspiracy theory “QAnon” posted the following cryptic series of questions and statements: “Where is Joe Biden training? What are in his protein shakes? The blood of children who play varsity sports? The same children who were kidnapped by a secret liberal cabal? Where is Hillary Clinton? Russia is involved (not yet). ANTIFA? What about Communism, huh? What’s up with that? Hmm? Obama? What’s he up to? Haven’t heard from Oprah in a while. Suspicious! If you rearrange the letters in the word ‘Democrat’ it spells out ‘I hate America’. Ever think about that? Nancy Pelosi hates McDonald’s. Checkmate liberals.” Leading up to the contest, Trump has repeatedly attacked Biden for “preparing” and “practicing”. He has also complained about the socially distanced format of the debate, saying that a vital part of his strategy involves “lots of coughing.” The push up contest will be broadcast live on all major cable networks at 8pm EST on Tuesday, September 29th. It will be moderated by Dwayne the Rock Johnson. Update: 1:45pm, Monday, September 28th: The Trump campaign released a statement saying that the President will not be participating in the pushup contest, citing “Bone Spurs”.

Rachel Rizzi, Tampa Preparatory School American Voices Nominee: Science Fiction

A Cruel Reflection

This story begins as all things do, in darkness. A place that knows only silence and cold, being and not being. A place that is home to all unconscious thoughts, to truths ignored, and illusions believed. A place where the world is reflected back on itself and where a figure walks through it.

The figure is untroubled by the cruel landscape around them for it is cruelty on which they thrive. They wear dark clothes fitted to their long limbs and a cloak of living night that shrouds them in shadows. Cloth wrapped boots ripple the liquid floor one would think glass if not disturbed, the eerie glow of a green orb nestled in the figure's hand bouncing off its surface.

Eyes accustomed to nothingness search through it until there is something. Their footsteps hurry in anticipation as they approach an opening casting golden light in the darkness. The figure raises the orb, leaving it to float in the air next to them as they gaze at the opening's shimmering surface. The motion like that of lapping waves until the figure places their palm against it, causing it to still. The opening reveals a dimly lit room with a great red curtained bed, dark wood floor covered in matching red carpets, and a large vanity overspread with bottles and powders.

The figure waits, searching for any motion, but after long seconds it becomes clear that the room is empty. So, with their palm, they push against the smooth surface creating a single crack, they push harder and the crack grows. Only when the fracturing overtakes the once pristine surface does their hand phase through. The figure steps into the opening, shattered pieces gliding out the way as their feet hit the dark wood.

The figure's nose becomes suffocated by the aroma of flowers and roasting meats. Ears attuned to silence rattle with the sounds of laughter and music floating through the floorboards. For a moment it is overwhelming, but as they look over their shoulder to the mirror they had just walked through, it is as if invisible chains have fallen from their wrists.

The figure quickly jumps back through the mirror but instead of entering an endless void they are encircled by numerous glowing openings of all shapes and sizes. For by finding a mirror large enough to enter the house the figure now has access to control any surface shiny enough for a reflection to be seen. There are openings that appear to be mirrors of long, short, rectangular, and circular showing long hallways and many more luscious bedrooms. The figure sees a great kitchen full of mortals running this way and that, preparing plates from the view of what seems to be hanging pots and spoons. One even appears to be a spotless floor reflecting the ceiling and hanging chandeliers.

The figure’s gaze does not stray as their interests solely lie on the openings showing a great dining hall amid a party. The guests are mortals who wear lavishly horrid clothes as they drown themselves in drink. The figure's chest fills with a great heat and a wicked smile spreads across their lips as thoughts of endless cruelties take form. It is time to have some fun.

Thus, with the night still young the figure moves from opening-to-opening causing chaos at each one. When no one is looking they reach a hand through mirrors, shiny plates, and polished floor. They pick pockets, tear at clothing, and trip mortals causing them to spill drink and food all over one another. The figure listens as fuzzy thoughts come through openings spoken as if underwater. Thoughts of vanity and insecurities as mortals catch glimpses of their reflections. Whispering into ears with a wicked tongue, the figure becomes delighted as their malice spreads causing thoughts never meant to be spoken to be shouted. Insults flying across the room from one's pearl necklace being fake to how another’s trust was betrayed. Soon it is fists being thrown instead of words.

The figure grabs a plate of sliced fruits from the kitchen when a mortal's back is turned and finds their way onto the rafters, sly footing then stopping to stand still repeatedly, until directly above the party. Silently they lower themselves to a crouch, shifting their weight every so often. The figure pops pieces of fruit into their mouth or tosses them below, observing bewildered looks and heated accusations as fruit bounces off heads, lands on plates, and even splashes into full goblets.

The figure bears a toothy smile as they look down, finding pleasure in the effects of their cruelty. They hold in their fits of laughter as the mortals scream in each other’s faces and even brawl on the floor. They love this feeling of using their power to control those below, and all of them being completely unaware of the deadly thing sitting not ten feet above them.

The figure finishes off their plate and pulls a coin from their sleeve. It is a silver coin with a raised crescent moon on it, covered in dents from all their other mischievous outings. The figure continues to look down upon the mortals as they run the coin across their fingers, finding comfort in the familiar action.

Unfortunately, the figure’s fun must come to an end as the clock strikes twelve, it is now time to fulfill the true reason they were sent here. Reaching into one of their many cloak pockets the figure pulls out a piece of paper with a hand drawn map of the house and instructions to follow. They had already memorized the paper but now confirm all the same.

Looking into the crowd, the figure spots their target of an older mortal. He wears a suit of forest green that brings out the grey in his beard and has gold medals pinned over his heart. He is the host of this party and is currently distracted by all the chaos the figure has caused.

Swiftly the figure uses what time they have and makes their way back across the rafters jumping without a sound to the top of where two great staircases meet. They head to the right wing of the house, sticking close to the walls so that the floorboards do not creak under their weight. The figure quickly approaches a door covered in carvings of trees and checks that no light shines through. Slowly they turn the stiff knob to avoid the squeaking of the hinges then enter shutting the door behind them. The room before them is an office lined with bookshelves, a great oak desk at its center, and a fireplace with a grand mirror sitting above it.

The figure approaches the desk to see it covered in papers and a lamp, but what they want is within the bottom drawer as the map instructed. They reach under the lamp and pull away a small metal key, unlocking the drawer to find a letter stamped with a red waxy seal. Pulling an identical letter from their cloak the figure makes the switch and puts everything back as it was.

The figure is now ready to leave without anyone knowing the wiser. The thought, however, causes them to slow as their stomach feels as if it is being hollowed out. For once

again they were the perfect thief: never seen and never remembered. As insignificant as a fallen leaf and just as alone.

The figure scales up the fireplace and goes through the mirror, searching for the red bedroom so that they can leave. Their gaze however snags upon an opening showing a room with dancing shadows. The figure walks towards the opening; curiously watching as a metal contraption spins around, making it appear as woodland creatures are racing across the walls.

In the room are two mortals, one a small child lying in bed, the other the figure recognizes as the host. The figure observes as the man closes a book and leans over to kiss the child on the forehead. The figure places a hand on the opening so that they can hear,

“Alright little one, that was your third story of the night, it is now time to sleep” The figure is taken by how the man's rough voice is full of such kindness, and even with a house full of

distressed guests he still cares for his restless child. The love in his eyes is unquestionable. The figure draws their hand back from the opening and turns away, but instead of leaving they find an

opening showing an unaccompanied goblet. Grabbing it, they find their way back atop the stairs sticking to the shadows as they lean over the balcony. The party has continued, cruelties from earlier traded for off key singing.

The figure’s thoughts wonder at how the mortals could forget their grievances so fast, the kindness the man had for the child, and the hatred the figure had for all of them. Hatred for how they danced and laughed without a care in the world, but above all the figure hated how real the mortals seemed, and how they felt no more real than the wind. It was a hate so hot and bright that it warmed the figure and reminded them where every act of their cruelty was born from.

As it washed over them wave after wave, they welcomed it. Tipping the goblet to their mouth the figure downs the drink to its dregs afterwards chucking the goblet away.

They follow it as it hits the floor below with a clang, but no head turns in its direction. The motion and sound lost amongst the life of the party.

“Are you a ghost?” Asks a light voice. The figure turns on their toes ready to attack whoever spoke only to be looking down at the mortal child.

Tilting their head to the side they note the tight grip the child has on a toy bunny with a pink bow, and when they look into those young amber eyes they hold curiosity not fear.

Kneeling down, the figure takes off the hood of their cloak to reveal salt white hair, delicately pointed ears, and silver eyes.

“Do I look like a ghost?” The figure returns in a voice of honeyed malice. The young child’s eyes go wide as they clutch the bunny to their chest, little knuckles turning white. They

look the figure up and down, then look right and back again. Surprisingly, the child does not cry out or run away, but instead answers the figure, “No, you look more alive than a ghost, but you aren’t in the mirror.” the child says pointing to their right. The figures lips curl into a smile, “Neither are you” The child stares at the figure with confusion before wiping their head to the long mirror hanging from the wall

where only an empty hallway is reflected. The child quickly steps to the mirror bringing their face in close, breath fogging the surface. Still the child’s reflection is not shown, only the hallway with flickering candlelight. The child turns back to the figure with wide eyes from the strangeness.

The figure runs their hand through the child’s messy brown hair and pushes it behind their small, curved ear, silver eyes trained on its utter difference.

“You know what happens when you lose your reflection little one?” The child shakes their head. The figure drops their hand and turns the full intensity of their glare from the child’s ear to those amber eyes,

“It is said that when you lose your reflection that you may never get it back. That you will disappear from the world, forever gone, and forgotten by all those you love” They pause watching the full weight of their words settle over the child as their tiny hands begin to shake. “However, there is a way to rescue your reflection. Would you like to know how to do it?”

The child violently nods their head. “You can save your reflection by going back to bed and never uttering a word of what you saw tonight to

anyone. If you do your reflection will never return and you will become trapped in cold silent darkness. No one will be able to save you, not even your father. You will be forever alone.’’

Their hard, cruel words hit true as the child’s bottom lip quivers, and eyes that were full of such curiosity fill with terror and swelling tears. They turn to hurry down the hall, most likely to hide under their covers and hope that this is just a nightmare.

In that moment though, the figure feels no pleasure in their cruelty. They don't feel vicious or powerful. Instead, the hollowness returns and threatens to eat them whole along

with cold hatred, but the figure is left wondering who it was they hated. “Wait,” the figure calls in a hushed tone as they pull out their silver coin. “Take this. It will help return your reflection, but only if you keep it a secret.”

As they hand it over the figure tells themselves that this means nothing. That they are simply still messing with the child. All those thoughts dissipate though as they see those amber eyes become bright once again.

The child turns the coin over in their hand, using their sleeve to wipe tears away and take a closer look. They run their thumb over the raised metal taken with curiosity. A smile grows on the child’s face as they turn to go back to their room. The child quickly stops and turns back to the figure in black that moved like a ghost and has eyes like the moon. They look down to their toy bunny and untie the pink bow handing it over to the figure with a bright smile.

“Here, Lady Cottontail has a gift for you too.” The figure hesitantly takes the ribbon from the child and runs their fingers over its soft fabric and stares at its

frayed edges. They are left staring at the ribbon as the child walks to their room. No longer wanting to be in the house the figure returns to the red bedroom and walks up to the mirror. They

place their hand on it and see darkness shimmer across its surface with the faint green glow of the orb still there. They walk through the mirror grabbing the orb with their free hand.

For the first time the cruel landscape weighs heavy on their shoulders and is almost too much to bear. The figure's words to the child echo in their head of being trapped in cold silent darkness. Forever alone.

As the figure trudges on, they are left wondering why they were kind to the child. Their thoughts are interrupted as ahead of the figure another opening appears. No longer caring, the figure lets

the green orb slip from their fingers silently sending ripples across the floor. The figure enters the opening into a small stone room light by a single torch. The only things that fill it are a wooden cot, desk, and the mirror they had just walked through.

They breathe in the musty damp air and toss the ribbon onto their bed. They look to the metal door where halfway a ledge hangs out and a tray sits with food long gone cold. They take the food from the tray leaving the letter in its place for whoever’s job it is to collect it.

Once placing their meal on the desk, the figure turns back to stare at the mirror, but no eyes stare back. That is the way some magic is: to use its power, you must give up something in return. Sometimes it is a

choice you make in life, or it is decided by fate. In that moment the figures' hatred for fate does not surface, instead their thoughts return to wondering why

they were kind towards the child. Perhaps the figure did it to punish the thing that keeps them in this room, maybe cruelty to a child isn’t the

same as making an adult suffer, or the true reason. That they liked the feeling of being seen and didn’t want it to end. For when the child looked at them, they felt alive in a way more than trickery has ever provided. In the child's eyes they became more than a moving shadow, they existed. Then by leaving their coin the child would forever know that tonight was more than just a nightmare.

The figure continues to look at the mirror, desperate that they might see something, but no reflection appears. Even if they had a reflection could they stand to look at it? At the reflection of a creature that convinces themselves that their wickedness is strength. A creature that convinces themselves that they exist even though no one knows their name. Scared that they know the answer to the question, the figure balls their hand into a fist and punches the mirror shattering it.

The figure turns away and collapses on their bed with a loud thud. They shift to their back and grab the ribbon, holding it close to them, but it already feels as if it is disappearing from their grasp. They try to settle their racing heart and stare at the ceiling, imagining looking through stone and dirt until a starry sky with a full moon comes into focus. It doesn't help as heavy sleep threatens to return them to cold silent darkness. Before it does, the figure is left fighting off fear, and whispers to themselves,

“I am real.”

Anvi Singh, Berkeley Preparatory School American Voices Nominee: Critical Essay

Technology as Represented in the Movie The Truman Show Everywhere we look today the digital world surrounds us. Whether it be on the billboards in Times Square, in school, or even our personal lives, it has completely infiltrated every aspect of humanity. This increased presence of technology has had an extremely dramatic effect on how we as humans communicate around the world. This concept is largely discussed through the postmodern lens in the film The Truman Show. This movie follows the main character, Truman Burbank, and his journey to discover that his entire life has been fabricated by technology and displayed on a television show for the whole world to see. From a postmodern view, as society breaks apart from the standard forms of communication and learns how to connect in new and interactive ways, it is important to note the different effects that new influences and distractions have on conversation and relationships around the globe. In this postmodern world, authentic communication and conversation have been greatly hampered by technology's omnipresence in everyday life. The digital age has not only contributed to a world of white noise, filled with constant chatter and mindless entertainment, but it has also led humanity into further isolation. As highlighted in The Truman Show, the online world has largely prevented us from communicating by distorting reality and projecting false images of a perfect world as demonstrated in the making of Truman’s fabricated universe and his eventual awakening from his disillusionment. In the postmodern age, meaningful connections lose authenticity as the digital world blends reality and imagination, influencing not only our thoughts but our actions as well. A main theme throughout the movie is how the media portrays an image that is not always true. Seahaven, the town that Truman lives in, seems to be the epitome of the American dream. All the inhabitants of this town live in perfect houses with white picket fences and perfectly manicured lawns, there is peace and harmony. As Truman’s friend Marlon states, even nature is flawless: “Look at that sunrise Truman, it’s perfect.” Something so wild and unpredictable as nature is now perfect, illustrating that technology has even seeped into nature and the environment. The sunrise symbolizes that through technology, anyone can make anything look ideal and picturesque, even though that is not always the case. Nature’s manipulation through technology embodies postmodernism because Similarly, Truman’s life is seemingly perfect. He has a beautiful wife, stable job, and lives in a wonderful neighborhood. Many viewers who watch the television show envy this lifestyle which prompts them to behave and interact in ways that Truman would. This behavior is demonstrated through Meryl's constant advertisement of products on the show: The producers knew the audience would try to emulate exactly what would occur on the show in Truman’s life. So naturally they would want to use the same products that Truman and Meryl used. This copycat behavior demonstrates that what one sees online in the digital world is highly influential and eventually people want the online universe to become theirs. According to Ali Jayazeri, this behavior can create many problems: “Some people use this social media to create something that they are not, the virtual world can distract people so much from their real lives that they either forget who they are or become so involved in the reality they’ve created that they don’t want to work on their own issues” (“A Virtual Life”). The altered behavior that results from interacting online highlights the particular issue that technology and the digital world poses in humanity. Society, such as the viewers of The Truman Show, becomes so consumed with the idea of a perfect world which is displayed on the television, that they begin to create their own sense of reality. For example, there is a moment in the movie where it displays a mother taking care of her two children. Her baby is in the background crying for food yet the mother is transfixed with what is occurring on the tv. Normally, a mother’s reality should be her children and should be centered around them. However, these are not normal circumstances. As Jayazeri states, the digital world distracted her so much from her life that she quite literally forgot her ultimate role. She enters almost this lethargic state where even her bodily actions are controlled and consumed by the white noise surrounding her. And as a result, her child will never know a life without the TV playing. It was technology that stole this role from her and physically changed her identity by twisting her reality. If the entire world walks around in their own realities, how will people function, yet alone truly communicate with each other? Therefore, humanity's connection loses authenticity as people make the world out to be what they see, based on the digital world, not what it truly is. In a world of white noise, the perpetual chatter of technology and entertainment has consumed society as a whole, leaving it a shell of what it used to be. Throughout the film The Truman Show the entire premise is that the show documented every step of Truman's life. From his birth, to his first steps, to even his marriage, camera crews followed Truman everywhere. The show is quite literally a complete intrusion of technology on human life. However, instead of covering up the blatant lack of privacy, the producers and actors exploited this idea and used it to their benefit. Hannah Gil, who played Meryl, even stated, “My life is my life. My life is the Truman Show. The Truman Show is a lifestyle.” The TV series actually became a daily habit, something necessary to survive off of. How symbolic is it that for this actress, something so fabricated and artificial could take such a human form and become ingrained in the very fabric of life. Furthermore, not only did the T.V show become a part of daily life, it remained as such for 30 years. Therefore, many viewers grew up watching The Truman Show so much so that they became dependent on it. Christof states that viewers even look to the show to console themselves, “We find that many viewers leave him on all night for comfort.” Yet again another instance where technology has replaced human touch and connection. Normally, people would look to loved ones for comfort, however, technology and the digital are easily able to artificially take a human’s place, isolating society even more. The film's commentary on the TV-obsessed society demonstrates how much of a

difference the digital world has made on humanity as a whole (O’Sullivan). Moreover, even when the body is not conscious the TV constantly has to be playing which demonstrates the pervasiveness of technology in life. It is inescapable. The constant white noise has many implications on human interactions and connectivity as a whole. Technology replaces human interaction as shows make up for the mental stimulation that society needs. Two characters that especially highlight this replacement are Christof and Meryl. Both are extremely integral parts of Truman’s fabricated life and both influence him in more ways than Truman can imagine, especially Christof. This influence is illustrated through Christof’s belief that he knows what is best for Truman: “Is that ultimately, Truman prefers his cell as you call it.” As the man who literally lives in the sky above Truman, Christof controls every aspect, big and small, of Truman’s life. In doing so, he almost takes this God-like status which represents that through technology man can even become God. Even today, social media influencers have such a sway on their followers that they can dictate their beliefs and actions, similar to God. Meryl, however, basically becomes a robot because of technology. She is never able to fully respond to Truman’s feelings and emotions: “Why don’t you let me fix you some of this new mococoa drink? All-natural cocoa beans from the upper slopes of mount Nicaragua. No artificial sweeteners.” Meryl cannot empathize with Truman and his worries. Technology and her real-life become so intertwined that she loses all real humanity becoming ultimately an inanimate object incapable of love. Instead, she reverts to her robotic script which, once again, is controlled by technology. As one can see, these are two people who have truly replaced technology in very different ways. They both believe that what they are doing from Truman is out of love, but this love is a facade. Love, which is such a human, and natural emotion is also dominated and controlled by technology. Consequently, Meryl and Christof have this false notion that what they feel for Truman is love. Before, society used to communicate face to face, however as The Truman Show demonstrates, people have figured out how to achieve this by never taking their eyes off the screen. The digital world greatly impacts communication because technology coerces people to accept what’s in front of them, not always what is true. A recurring motif throughout the film was the idea that Truman should have just accepted what was given to him and regarded it as “normal.” However, everyone who was of importance to him was an actor that was just placed in front of Truman and told to “act” like his mother, brother, or wife as Christof states: “We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented.” When Truman ran away with Lauren, also known as Sylvie, he broke away from the reality that he was given and was able to form a real connection with someone for the first time. Ironically, this occurred when they ran away from the large film crews and onto the secluded beach where they thought they were not being filmed. Furthermore, when Truman really examined the world that he was living in, As Roger Ebert states, his world becomes a commentary on how technology blinds humanity from seeing reality: You accept the world you're given, the filmmakers suggest; more thoughtful viewers will get the buried message, which is that we accept almost everything in our lives without examining it very closely” (Ebert). Once Truman began examining the world he was living in, the facade began to fall down. This is especially seen when Truman believes he saw his father on set. The deep-rooted event of his father “dying” comes back to life when the actor who played Truman's father hijacks the show. This causes Truman’s already disintegrating world to fall apart. The fact that even his own father (albeit fake father) lied to him shows the extent to which humanity will go to so gain acceptance in the digital world. Even his family is fabricated by technology. After this realization, the audience sees Truman’s cheerful, almost cartoon-like personality metamorph into a somber and pessimistic state. As Truman’s eyes were slowly uncovered the very dark truth of his reality came into light and ultimately Truman was left with a choice: stay in the plastic, fake world, or venture out into the wild unknown. This choice is the pinnacle of what postmodernism represents - emerging out of society and its constructs. This is symbolic of what would happen if society broke apart from technology and became less dependent on it, a very postmodern notion that calls for authenticity and naturality. One can see the omnipresent nature of technology and the digital world in everyday life have truly shaped how humanity interacts with each other. Not only does it distract society from creating meaningful connections, but it contributes to the constant white noise playing in the background of everyone’s lives, distorting their sense of reality. I learned a lot from my thesis and my journey working on this project. It taught me how consequential the small things in our daily lives are and how influential the media is. Additionally, I learned that I should occasionally take a step back from social media and really analyze what message it is sending. Is it teaching me to be a good person and have good values? Or is it trying to capitalize off of my easily influenced mind? All in all, although the digital world can be a wonderful platform to communicate with other people, it eventually leads to false conclusions and further isolates society. At the end of the day it is raw, unfiltered, conversations that help strengthen humanity’s connectivity and unity. Truman’s separation from the show represents just this. The fact that this man, who was lied to from infancy, who was oblivious to the outside world, and who up until the age of 30 had made no real human connection, was able to rise above technology and overcome it, speaks wonders about what the rest of society is capable of. A man whose odds were stacked against, overcame. If Truman was able to transcend above technology, it should be fairly easy for others to do as well. This is the choice humanity faces. As the late film critic Roger Ebert states, “Because we can engineer genetics, because we can telecast real lives--of course we must, right? But are these good things to do? The irony is, the people who will finally answer that question will be the very ones produced by the process” (Ebert).

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