MHS Senior James Gallagher is really good. In fact, he is a first.

Gallagher enjoys photography and over the Memorial Day Week end he will be on the stage of Carnegie Hall accepting a national award for his work. He is the first Milton High student to receive a national award for his art work. But he is not the only Milton student with talent. Milton students from both Pierce and the High School made an exceptionally strong showing at this year’s Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. (You can view samples of their work here.)

The Scholastic Art Awards, sponsored locally by the Boston Globe, is  a juried competition organized by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a non-profit that identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent.

James Gallagher, a MHS senior, had previously been awarded two Gold Keys for his photography portfolio and single entry by the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards. This qualified him for the national contest. As with any national contest, it is extermely competitive.  James is one of only 1,500 teens to have received a national medal in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, out of 185,000 submissions.

“This type of honor is the highest honor that a high school student can receive in the Fine Arts,” said his teacher, Karen Hughes. “The Art Department at Milton High is extremely proud of all the students who placed work into the competition.”

Hughes pointed out that this year’s group of students received the highest number of Gold Keys and Gold Key for Portfolio than any other year she has taught.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for our Visual Arts students and their teachers,” said Noreen Diamond Burdett, head of Fine Arts & Family/Consumer Studies. “Extra special kudos to James – this is a first for the Milton Public Schools and we could not be more proud!”

Mary Gormley, Superintendent of the Milton Public Schools, echoed Dr. Burdett’s sentiments:

“We have always had an outstanding showing in the Globe Scholastic Art Awards, which is a reflection on our excellent teachers and talented students,” said Ms Gormley. “This year, we are especially proud to have one of our students earn national recognition. I commend all of our award-winning students and their teachers.”

The following students from both Milton High and Pierce Middle School were honored by the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards.
Milton High School: Clayton Baker, Grade 11 (Gold Key); Breanna Butlin, Grade 12 (Honorable Mention); Thomas Callahan, Grade 12 (Gold Key Portfolio); Vivian Chu, Grade 12 (Honorable Mention); Abigail Macomber, Grade 12 (Silver Key); Alexandria Mignone, Grade 12 (Honorable Mention); Aoife Quinn, Grade 11 (Honorable Mention); Benjamin Richman, Grade 12 (Gold Key Portfolio & Gold Key). These students were taught by Kassandra Derby and Karen Hughes, along with Ken Bertrand, who advised Ben Richman on his Woodworking submission.

Here they are! (photos courtesy of Moira Downes)

Pierce Middle School: Ali Belash, Grade 7 (Honorable Mention); Ani Gaden, Grade 8 (Silver Key); Liv Jensen, Grade 8 (Silver Key); Shane McLaughlin, Grade 8 (Honorable Mention); Emma Pred-Sosa, Grade 8 (Honorable Mention); Kaitlin Reed, Grade 7 (Honorable Mention); Abigail Tingus, Grade 7 (Silver Key.) These students were taught by Stephanie Sherman.

And here they are!