For Queen Creek High School senior Aris Joung, art has become a powerful way to explore identity, memory, and growth. This year, her dedication and talent earned her two Gold Key awards in ceramic sculpture and an Honorable Mention in drawing through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, one of the most prestigious student art competitions in the country.
Competing against thousands of entries across six states, Aris stood out as the only student in the district to receive recognition this year. Her two Gold Keys represent the highest regional honor. “The Gold Key award is the highest award that you can get in regionals,” Aris explained. “I got two gold keys.”
For Aris, the recognition was both exciting and meaningful. “It felt really good because I worked pretty hard for it,” she said. “Last year, I submitted just for fun and didn’t expect anything. This year, I actually worked with my teacher, wrote essays, and everything, so earning that was a really big deal for me.”
Her work often draws on personal experiences and deeper themes. “A lot of my work tends to focus on memories or childhood or just the playfulness of everything,” she shared. “As you grow up, you kind of lose that spark, and I try to bring that back through my art.” Her award-winning pieces explore identity, culture, and perception, blending symbolism with bold design choices.
A key influence in her growth has been her ceramics teacher, Mr. Davis. “He’s been such a key character in my life,” Aris said. “He was one of the first teachers who really analyzed my art and gave me feedback on how to improve. That helped me grow so much in the past two years.”
Aris also emphasized the importance of fine arts in education. “I kind of explain it as a mind break,” she said. “Even if people think art isn’t important, it’s everywhere. Without it, the application of what we learn in core subjects doesn’t have as big an impact.”
After high school, Aris plans to pursue studies in law or psychology while continuing to keep art in her life. “I would like to minor in art,” she said. “Even if I don’t, it’s still something I’m going to continue to grow as I get older.”
Aris reflects on this experience with gratitude and encouragement for others. “It doesn’t hurt to try,” she said. “People discourage themselves by thinking they’re not good at art, but practice makes perfect. Just take the chance and put your work out there.”
