Updated April 15, 2026

JSerra Catholic High School senior Hance Huang has achieved a remarkable milestone in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, earning three Gold Keys, one Silver Key, and one Honorable Mention in the prestigious national competition. This marks the highest number of awards earned by a JSerra student in a single year, setting a record for the school’s visual arts program.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, are among the most respected and competitive recognitions for creative students in the United States. Past recipients include notable artists and writers such as Andy Warhol, Tobias Wolf, and Alan Tate, placing student winners in extraordinary company.

Huang’s award-winning photography demonstrates both technical mastery and a thoughtful artistic eye. His Gold Key images capture strikingly different environments—from sweeping desert landscapes bathed in early morning light to the quiet architectural geometry of Alcatraz prison and the vibrant human energy of San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Each photograph tells a different story:

• "Desert Peaks in Morning Blue," a rugged desert mountain range illuminated by dawn (Gold Key)
• "Echoes of Alcatraz," the haunting symmetry of Alcatraz’s historic cell blocks (Gold Key and National Silver Medal)
• "San Francisco - Chinatown Shop Interior," a lively interior scene inside a Chinatown market (Gold Key)
• "Road Into Silence," a winding desert road disappearing into towering cliffs (Silver Key)
• "Shenzen - Yantian Port Nightscape," a shipyard in China at night, with one brightly lit area highlighting the colorful containers (Honorable Mention)

Together, the images showcase Huang’s ability to capture both the grandeur of landscapes and the intimacy of everyday life.

“Hance has been one of the standout photographers in our program this year,” said Bradford Smith, Visual Fine Arts Department Chair. “His work demonstrates patience, creativity, and a mature understanding of composition and storytelling through photography. We are incredibly excited to see Hance receive such high recognition for his photography and the accolades that come with it.”

Hance’s Gold Key-winning photographs will advance to national judging, with national medalists scheduled to be announced March 25, 2026. Students selected for national honors will be celebrated during National Awards Week in New York City this June, including a ceremony at Carnegie Hall.

JSerra’s photography program continues to grow as students explore visual storytelling, artistic technique, and creative expression. Huang’s success highlights both the strength of the program and the dedication students bring to their craft.

As the national competition approaches, the JSerra community celebrates a student whose camera captures more than images—it captures perspective.

Desert Peaks in Morning Blue
 

Echoes of Alcatraz - National Silver Medal Winner
 

San Francisco - Chinatown Shop Interior
 

Road Into Silence
 

Shenzen - Yantian Port Nightscape