Pasadena ISD high school students captured three gold medals and six silver medals in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards recently.

Each fall, the Harris County Department of Education sponsors the competition to recognize and celebrate the outstanding talents of young writers and artists within Harris County.

Jake Bailey and Kelly Wyntjes of Pasadena Memorial High School both struck gold in the writing competition. Bailey’s humorous essay impressed the judges, as did Wyntjes personal essay.

In the art competition, Pasadena High School’s Sabrina Saenz captured a gold medal for her mixed media work.

All six silver medals went to students from Pasadena Memorial. Abby Corrington, Chelsea Lambert, Desiree Grimes and Lisa Vavricka were all awarded for their personal essays. Clarice Elliott was honored for her short story, while Jeremiah Espinoza was recognized for his dramatic script entry.

Students who wish to participate in the regional judging submit their work through the school district. All of the entries then go through regional judging in Harris County. Some of the works selected advance to the national judging, which takes place in New York.