Following in the footsteps of some of the nation’s most accomplished artists and authors, eight Katy ISD students earned national medals in the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Among the winners, five students earned gold medals and three students earned silver medals, said the district in a July 17 press release.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the longest-running arts competitions in the country for teens and boasts alumni who have gone on to be luminaries in art, fashion design, filmmaking and writing, including authors John Updike and Stephen King, artist Andy Warhol, and fashion designer Tracy Reese, the district said.

“Katy ISD is represented yearly among the national medalists and these students continue to be exemplars of our District’s Fine Arts programs,” said Damon Archer, Executive Director of Fine Arts. “I would also like to recognize their teachers for their work in helping to support these young artists.”

The students advanced from this year’s regional competition, facilitated by the Harris County Department of Education, and were among the sixty-one Katy ISD students to being considered for national honors.

Name School Award & Medium

Aerial Chen Seven Lakes High School Gold Medal in Film & Animation

Haofei Deng Tompkins High School Gold Medal in Photography

Valeria Dumitrascu Jordan High School Gold Medal in Painting

Michelle Lee Cinco Ranch High School Gold Medal in Drawing & Illustration

Ziyun Yu Seven Lakes High School Gold Medal in Photography

Zoe Guthrie Jordan High School Silver Medal in Sculpture

Sahara Karmaker Seven Lakes High School Silver Medal in Film & Animation

Yule Yi Jordan High School Silver Medal in Drawing & Illustration