During a recent School City of Mishawaka board meeting, notable achievements in the arts were celebrated, highlighting the success of local students in the Scholastic Art and Writing competitions. English teacher Randy Ebright recognized Emma Parsons, a senior at Mishawaka High School, who earned a national silver key for her essay titled \"Lord of the An Accurate Representation of the Harsh Reality of Idealistic Freedom in Adolescence.\" Parsons expressed her gratitude for the support she received from Ebright and the school board, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in honing her writing skills.

Ebright noted that out of over 340,000 submissions to the Scholastic National Competition, only about 2,500 students receive national medals, underscoring the significance of Parsons' achievement. He also mentioned plans to collaborate with John Young Middle School to encourage more students to participate in writing competitions.

Following Ebright, art teacher Katie Smith introduced two students who excelled in the Scholastic Art Awards. Sierra, an incoming sophomore, won a national silver key for her photography, while Isabella received a national gold key for her painting titled \"Portrait of Callum.\" Smith highlighted the rarity of such achievements in the art competition, which has a larger pool of participants than the writing segment.

The meeting also recognized four students from the Boys and Girls Club who were honored as Junior Youth of the Year. This recognition reflects the leadership and character development fostered through the club's programs. Jacqueline Kronk, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, praised the students' accomplishments, noting that they were selected from a pool of 3,500 participants, marking a significant achievement for the Mishawaka district.

Overall, the meeting showcased the thriving arts programs at Mishawaka High School and the positive impact of community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club in nurturing young talent.