MANCHESTER – In March, the Manchester School District announced that 47 students had earned awards in the 2025 New Hampshire Scholastic Art Awards. Among those students awarded, two from Memorial stood out, including a national award.
Senior Emily Dahl was one of 7 students statewide to win a “Best of Show” award in the statewide competition. Fellow senior Olivia Horne earned a Gold Key in the statewide competition, and went to to win a Silver Key in the National Scholastic Art Awards competition.
"Almost 2,500 works were entered in the New Hampshire regional competition, of which about 175 were awarded Gold Keys, including the works of both Emily and Olivia," said Memorial art teacher Ron Budway. "Gold Key-winning entries at the regional level are eligible to compete at the National level. Only 17 works from New Hampshire were awarded national awards."
Budway added that Horne's National Silver Key is the first such award for a Memorial student since 2018. Horne said that the meaningful recognition is encouragement to continue with the artistic medium after her high school years.
"I picked up my Dad's old DSLR in 8th grade, and instantly loved photography," Horne said. "Many people told me I had a natural talent. I ended up getting distracted and didn't pick up a camera again until this year. Photography is a form of communication that doesn't need words but still conveys emotions and a message. It is a huge honor to win a National Scholastics Medal, and encourages me to continue with photography after graduation."
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious competition in America that recognizes outstanding achievement in the visual arts by young people. Past winners include Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Joyce Carol Oats, Steven King, and many many more. You can read more about the awards at https://www.artandwriting.org/.