Kolyn Cruz, a senior at Daviess County High School, has been recognized with two prestigious Gold Key honors in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards for his work in photography.
The Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards, founded in 1923, is the nation’s longest-running recognition program for creative teenagers. Every year, it celebrates the vision, ingenuity, and talent of young artists and writers across the United States. Notable artists to receive a Scholastic award include Andy Warhol, Slyvia Plath, Robert Redford, and Stephen King.
Cruz’s talent and dedication to the art of photography have earned him two Gold Key awards in this year’s competition.
“With the amount of the total submissions across the country and just picking up photography recently, it feels unreal to win two Gold Key awards,” Cruz said. “I am excited because this boosts my confidence in my photography portfolio and skills.”
Mary Jo Greathouse, Daviess County High School’s arts teacher, expressed pride in Cruz’s achievements, highlighting his talent and ingenuity in photography since his first class in the fall of 2023. She noted his ongoing growth and skill development, emphasizing that his dedication to the craft has been evident from the beginning.
“Winning two Gold Keys in a prestigious competition serves as a testament to Cruz’s hard work, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence,” Greathouse said.
Cruz’s Gold Key works are automatically advanced to the national level of judging, which takes place in New York City in June.
