High school and intermediate level students proved they had the “write” stuff as they brought home six gold medals and three silver medals in the Scholastic Gold Key Writing Competition recently.

Each fall, the Harris County Department of Education sponsors the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in order to recognize and celebrate the outstanding talents of young writers and artists within Harris County.

Pasadena Memorial High School’s Melissa Hendricks won two gold medals in the personal essay and short story categories. Memorial’s Angelica Nieto and Abraham Segura also were awarded gold in the personal essay competition. Another PMHS student, Lisa Vavricka, won a gold medal in the humorous writing division, while Ashley McWhorter earned a silver medal for her personal essay.

Thompson Intermediate student Blythe Nguyen was awarded a gold medal in the poetry category, while Zach Ezzell and Mariah Hursh captured silver medals.

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 are selected advance to the national judging, which takes place in New York.