Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Best-in-Grade Award recognizes 24 works at the national level (two art and two writing per grade, grades 7-12) with $500 scholarships. The Awards provide students with encouragement and financial incentives to continue nurturing their creativity, strengthen their future college applications through this recognition, and continue to be arts advocates among their peers and to their communities.

Congratulations to the 2025 Best-In-Grade Award Winners!

Grade 7
Writing:
Heidi Wang, San Jose, CA
YuShu Chai, Palo Alto, CA
Art:
Jada Jin, Fremont, CA
Siyu Wang, Watertown, MA

Grade 8
Writing:
Yongen Wu, Birmingham, AL
Ruozhen Ma, Austin, TX
Art:
Nurin Mock-Muhammad, Jackson, MS
Jason Tao, Woburn, MA

Grade 9
Writing:
Lila Hayes, North Charleston, SC
Fiona Liu, Saratoga, CA
Art:
Theo Fletcher, North Andover, MA
Sharon Niu, Shoreview, MN

Grade 10
Writing:
Krysha Santiaguel, Bronx, NY
Nicole Um, Los Angeles, CA
Art:
Leon Orlov, New York, NY
Rose Sobel, New York, NY

Grade 11
Writing:
Hannah Ahn, Philadelphia, PA
Evelyn Yang, Mountain View, CA
Art:
Yutong Zhao, North Andover, MA
Sofia Ristic, New York, NY

Grade 12
Writing:
Chantal Eulenstein, Ames, IA
Lillie Markel, Greenville, SC
Art:
Marcus Owens, Lagrangeville, NY
Wonjae Cho, Avon, CT

Best in Grade: Nurin Mock-Muhammad, Mother Mary of the Street Car, Painting. Grade 8, Ida B. Wells APAC, Jackson, MS. Renna Moore-Edwards, Educator; Mississippi Museum of Art, Affiliate. Gold Medal, Best-in-Grade Award