Aldine ISD Students Earn Top Honors at 2026 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

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From powerful photography to poignant poetry, Aldine ISD students are once again proving that creativity is alive and thriving across the district.

Dozens of Aldine ISD middle and high school students earned regional recognition in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented locally through the Harris County Department of Education. The renowned program, established in 1923, is the nation’s longest-running recognition initiative for creative teens.

Students were recognized with Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention awards at the regional level event across a range of artistic and literary categories. The HCDE will announce at a later date which award recipients will have their work advance to the national competition through the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

“This recognition shows the wealth of talent we see every day in our visual arts and English classrooms,” said Kaileigh Newman, Aldine ISD director of visual arts. “Our students aren’t just mastering technique — they are using their voices and insights to tell meaningful stories through art and writing.”

Gold Key Winners Advance to National Competition

Aldine ISD students earned multiple Gold Key awards in photography, poetry, and personal essay categories.

In art, Gold Key recipients included:

Kelsey Brown, Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts — Raison d’être (Purpose of Existence; Photography)
Alexandra de León, Blanson Career and Technical Education High School — Acts of Faith & Love (Photography)
Alisson Garcia, Aldine High School — Enigma (Photography)
Stephanie Leiva (2), Blanson CTE High School — Blinded Truth and Generational Habits (Photography)
Sarahi Orellana, Blanson CTE High School — Connecting Bonds (Photography)
Tanya Sánchez, Aldine High School — Lost Jewel (Photography)

In writing, Gold Key winners included:

Trinity Jones, Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts — Rainbow (Poetry)
Tess Shoels, MacArthur High School — Daddy’s Princess (Poetry)
Na’Leeyah Tatum, Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts — The Bluest of Eyes (Personal Essay & Memoir)

Silver Key and Honorable Mention Recognitions

Students across several Aldine ISD campuses also earned numerous Silver Key awards in drawing, ceramics and glass, mixed media, painting, photography, short story, and poetry. AISD students also brought home 45 Honorable Mention recognitions for their creative work.

In art, Silver Key recipients included:

Tolani Awe, Blanson CTE High School — Fixated (Drawing)
Liliana Betancourt, Eisenhower High School — The Ones I Found for You (Photography)
Gabriel Callejas, Eisenhower High School — Elixir of Life (Ceramics & Glass)
Isaí Castro, Aldine Ninth Grade School — B4 Dreams, A4 Hunger (Photography)
KaJuan Hall, Blanson CTE High School — Brighter Days (Photography)
Maryi Hernández, Aldine Ninth Grade School — Waldo Takes the Field (Photography)
Samantha Jiménez, Eisenhower High School — Spotlight (Photography)
Hailey Mejía-Matute, Blanson CTE High School — 20 More (Mixed Media)
Sarahi Orellana (2), Blanson CTE High School — Purple Discontent (Photography) and A Quiet Understanding (Mixed Media)
Erika Orozco, Blanson CTE High School — Stressed Out (Painting)
Isabella Reyes, Blanson Career and Technical Education High School — The Descent (Photography)
Kimberly Rodríguez, Carver High School Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts — Bundle of Dreams (Drawing)
Elizabeth Vivas, Blanson CTE High School — Is It a Wrench or Not a Wrench? (Drawing)
Luke Wallace, Blanson CTE High School — Innocence Lost (Photography)

In writing, Silver Key recipients included:

Brianna Crockett, Eisenhower High School — Outlaw (Short Story)
Trinity Jones, Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts — Death of a Dream (Poetry)
Katelyn Nguyen, Eisenhower High School — Gaia (Poetry)

Campuses represented among this year’s regional winners include:

Aldine High School
Aldine Ninth Grade School
Aldine Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Blanson CTE High School
Carver High School for Applied Technology, Engineering, and the Arts
Eisenhower High School
MacArthur High School
Nimitz High School
Mead Middle School

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards celebrate originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice — qualities that align with Aldine ISD’s commitment to cultivating well-rounded graduates prepared for college, career, and life.

“These students are living examples of our #AldineStory,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “Through their art and writing, they are thinking critically, communicating boldly, and sharing perspectives that matter. We are incredibly proud of the talent and heart they bring to our schools and our community.”