LAHS art student Sophia Saunders received a Gold Key for Ceramics & Glass with her Native American pot. Courtesy photo
One of Kaidence Amburgey’s Silver Key winners for Drawing. This piece is titled ‘Art with Meaning.’ Courtesy photo
Azure Honnell earned a silver key for her painting, “Paws and Promises.” Courtesy photo
Art students Sophia Saunders, Kaidence Amburgey and Azure Honnell are among eight LAHS students who received awards in the 2026 New Mexico Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Courtesy photos
LAPS NEWS RELEASE
Art students Sophia Saunders, Kaidence Amburgey and Azure Honnell are among eight LAHS students who received awards in the 2026 New Mexico Scholastic Art and Writing Competition.
Once again, Los Alamos High School’s art students received numerous accolades for their participation in the 2026 New Mexico Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Five Gold Keys, seven Silver Keys and eight Honorable Mentions were awarded to eight high school art students.
Recent graduate Catherine Price was awarded two Gold Keys, an Honorable Mention in the Drawing category and an Honorable Mention in Painting. She also received a Silver Key for her Art Portfolio, earning her a $1,000 scholarship.
Recent graduate Hannah Waldschmidt received a Gold Key for Comic Art, a Silver Key for Editorial Cartoon, and four Honorable Mentions: two for Film & Animation, one for Illustration, and one for Fashion.
Recent graduate Blue Engeman received a Gold Key for Drawing and recent graduate Sophia Saunders received a Gold Key for Ceramics & Glass and a Silver Key for Drawing.
Two Silver Keys were awarded to recent graduate Kaidance Amburgey for Drawing. Silver Keys were also awarded to recent graduates Azure Honnell for Painting, and Ariela Rittner for Illustration, respectively. Azure Honnell also received an Honorable Mention for Drawing. And finally, rising senior Hailee Sarellano won an Honorable Mention for Drawing.
This year’s Gold and Silver Key winners exhibited their work at the Orpheum Community Hub in Albuquerque. All students were recognized at the Scholastic Art Ceremony this past spring.
The Gold Key award is the highest level of achievement on the regional level. Approximately 7 – 10% of all regional submissions are recognized with Gold Key Awards and all are considered for national- level recognition.
Approximately 10 – 15% of all regional submissions are recognized with Silver Key Awards.
Organized by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were established in the early 1920’s to encourage, foster and reward creativity in our nation’s classrooms. It is the largest, longest- running and most prestigious student recognition program in America, according to the New Mexico Art Education Association website. The contest is open to students in grades 7 through 12.
Throughout its 90-year history, the Scholastic program has provided early recognition to some of our nation’s most celebrated artists and writers, including Richard Avedon, Harry Bertoia,
Mel Bochner, Truman Capote, Red Groom, Robert Indiana, Joyce Maynard, Joyce Carol Oates and Robert Redford. Internationally recognized artists with a Colorado connection include QuangHo, Dale Chisman, Mel Silverman, Donald Lipski and Hugh Grant.
For more information, go to https://newmexicoartawards.wordpress.com/.