GAMS student earns Silver Key in writing

Gettysburg Area Middle School eighth grader AJ Reinhart Mitchell won a Silver Key in writing for a short story called "Cinder" in the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Regional Competition.

Reinhart Mitchell was among fifteen Gettysburg Area School District students, who earned one Gold Key, 10 Silver Keys, and 11 Honorable Mentions in the competition.

Gettysburg Area High School (GAHS) senior Maddison Garcia’s dresses made from soda tabs and recycled materials earned both a Gold Key and Silver Key, and now the Gold Key creative design is in the running for a national award. Garcia will learn if she earned a national award in mid-March, which could include the opportunity to attend an in-person ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 10.

GAHS senior Christian DiCampli earned a Silver Key in writing for a short story entitled, “What if I’m a Monster."

Silver Key winners in art included: Leila Benner for “Children of the Night Sky” in illustration; Eliza Dreves for “What Winderbourne Once Was” in experimental photography; Bryce Epperson for “Weathered Emblem” and “Encaged in Walls of Regret” both in photography; Sophia Gillmore for “Hall” and “Rusty Cell” both in photography; and Riley Harris for “Abandoned Light” in senior portfolio featuring photography.

Honorable Mentions included: Eliza Dreves for “Whispers of the Past: Historic Narrative Through Lens & Artifacts” in senior portfolio featuring photography and experimental photography; Epperson for “Locked Away” in senior portfolio featuring photography; Dali Alvarez for “Mexican Dolls” in painting; Eliana Bonner for “Tart” in painting; Alyssa Cool for “Spatial Separation” in digital painting, drawing, and collage; Yoselin Martinez-Reyes for “The Dream of a Child” in sculpture; Emma Nichols for “Struggles of the Monarch” in sculpture; Keira Popovice for “The Hungry Bandit” in photography and “Liquid Stride” in drawing; and Cheyenne Wenger for “Emerald Gaze” and “Golden Graze” both in photography.