Two Tomball ISD students are named National Medalists in the 2023 Scholastic Writing and Arts Awards Competition

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Tomball ISD students Mia Holberg and Brady Sanchez were recently recognized as National Medalists in the 2023 Scholastic Writing and Arts Competition for their creative art and writing pieces.

Mia Holberg is a senior at Tomball High School and was awarded a Gold Medal for her art entry, titled ‘Telepathy.’

“I really wanted to show a lot of emotion, like having two feelings at once,” Holberg said when explaining the inspiration behind her piece. “This piece of art is a part of my portfolio and like all of my art, this one has elements of things I have personally experienced, like womanhood, pride, perfectionism. This is a realism piece.”

Holberg has been pursuing art since she was two years old, beginning with finger painting. Her interest in art became much more solidified her freshman year in high school at THS. When she graduates this May, she will attend the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in advertising and minoring in graphic design with plans on one day becoming an Art Director or Creative Director.

Brady Sanchez is an eighth grader at Creekside Park Junior High and was awarded a Silver Medal for his writing entry, titled: ‘The Fog.’

“I went to Alcatraz on vacation and I wanted to write a fiction story about my experience,” Sanchez said when asked about the idea of his writing piece. “We were asked to write a personal narrative for a school entry and I asked to write a fiction piece and I was very happy to see it make it to the National Awards.”

These two students are coming off placing at the Regional level, which led them to be automatically entered into the National Competition for a chance to earn a medal. Both Holberg and Sanchez have the opportunity to be recognized at the end of the year at the Scholastic Writing and Art National Awards Ceremony, held in New York City.

Known as the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, the Scholastic Writing and Arts Competition is presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. The Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their remarkable work to the world through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Awards give students opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships.