Ashley Romero of Spring Early College Academy

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Ruth Hardy of Spring High School

During the April meeting of the Spring ISD Board of Trustees, board members welcomed two district seniors who were recently named national medalists in the 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards – Ruth Hardy of Spring High School and Ashley Romero of Spring Early College Academy. The two seniors were awarded Spring ISD Point of Pride plaques in honor of their accomplishments.

Both students qualified for the national-level Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition after their individual submissions earned Gold Keys earlier this semester in the regional-level event, overseen by the Harris County Department of Education.

Across the U.S., more than 80,000 students submitted nearly 230,000 entries to this year’s competition. Out of those 230,000 individual art and writing submissions, approximately 2,000 works received National Medals this year – with less than one percent of students’ individual works receiving recognition at the national level.

“We would also like to both congratulate and thank their teachers,” said Visual Arts Coordinator Amanda Byers during her presentation, going on to offer special thanks to Spring High School art teacher Lizbeth Ramagnoli, who worked with Hardy on her Scholastic piece, and Spring Early College Academy art teacher Val Hassel, who helped coordinate Romero’s writing submission for the contest. “And while this is not our first national award in art, this is the first time in recent memory that a student placed at the national level in the Scholastic writing contest.”

Byers also thanked Spring High School Principal Diaka Melendez and Spring Early College Academy Principal Kristine Guidry for their leadership and support of the arts on their campuses.

“And, lastly, thank you to both Ruth’s parents and Ashley’s parents for sharing these amazing young scholars with us and supporting their creative efforts at every turn,” Byers said.

This year, 21 Spring ISD students received awards at the regional level, including seven students whose Gold Key awards in that event qualified their works to be judged in the national competition.

“The district is proud of all of these talented young artists and writers,” Byers said, “and grateful for the opportunity to recognize both Ruth Hardy and Ashley Romero for placing at the national level in this year’s Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition.”