Launching Leaders Winners Gallery - 2023
Letters Awards
With many worthy entries, it was difficult—and exciting—to choose Letters winners this year! Ultimately, those entries that best communicated their message with imagination, creativity, and skill—whether in poetry or prose—prevailed. As one winner aptly said, “I will always be a storyteller.” Each winner certainly is!
2023 Letters Judges: Wilma Davidson Ed.D., Susan Klaus, Ros Petti
Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Award of Excellence
Pailey Riesgo
Delicate Blooms
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Northport High School
Becky Halbert, Teacher
Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation and ABC Books Special Awards
Liv Doura
The Memorial
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Sarasota High School
Ashley Harris, Teacher
Aleksandra Masiulis
White Marble
Pine View School
Pamela Novak, Teacher
Kalie Martin
Meeting Ollie and Georgie
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Southeast High School
Kashante Mays, Teacher
Ocean Bruinius
The Wicked Monster​
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Pine View School
Pamela Novak, Teacher
Betty Altman Art Awards
It was an honor to review these young artists' creativity. All entries expressed a sense of personal emotion and an intensity communicated through their art. The winning art represented
the most compelling qualities of visual impact, unique style, and artful execution. We thank the parents and teachers for supporting and motivating these exceptional artists.
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2023 Art Judges: Susan Lynn Cotton, Jana Millstone, Pamela Olin
The Betty Altman Award of Excellence
Samantha Tanelli
The Cat and the Monkey
Watercolor
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Booker High School
Jeffrey Cornwell, Teacher
The Betty Altman Special Awards
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Jaden Osborne
Wheel of Life
Painting
Sarasota High School
Debra Markley, Teacher
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Gabriela Sanchez-Gomez
Soupy Davis and His Band
Painting
Manatee School for the Arts
Diane Rosenbarger, Teacher
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Mehak Sandhu
Lime and Baby's Breath
Mixed Media
Booker High School
Jeffrey Cornwell, Teacher
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Alanna Hutton
American Toys
Watercolor
Booker High School
Jeffrey Cornwell, Teacher
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The Halide Smith Award of Excellence in Music Composition
Our winning composition, "Danae Violin Solo", is delightfully styled after the Classical Music Period (1750 - 1830) with a fresh and clear melody and piano accompaniment. One can imagine Mozart performing this composition at the royal courts of Europe.
Chair & Music Judges 2023, O'lyn Callahan, Sandra Moulin
​Danae Tran
Violin Solo and Piano Accompaniment
Booker High School
Alexander Zickafoose, Teacher
Press
The Longboat Key Observer - May 9. 2023
Pen Women award scholarships to local high schoolers
Eleven local students won art, music and writing awards and showcased their work.