This year, we were lucky to have Tony Hawk as a judge for the Video Game Design category of the Scholastic Awards. Tony brought enthusiasm and expertise to an already exciting award. Click through to hear what Tony has to say about creativity and the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

“It took a lot of creativity to invent the kinds of tricks that launched me to the top of the pros list. Whether you paint, draw, write short stories, or design video games, at the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, creativity is all about finding unique ways to challenge yourself, just like I did.”

Tony Hawk is a professional skateboarder also known for his massively popular video game titles. He received his first skateboard at the age of nine, was a pro by fourteen, and regarded as the best pro skateboarder in the world by sixteen! Tony is the first skateboarder in history to complete the “900” (a 2.5-revolution 900 degrees aerial spin performed on a skateboard ramp). These days, in addition to appearing on television and in films, he hosts his own show on Sirius XM. Tony is the founder of his own Tony Hawk Foundation, which has donated over $32.2 million to more than 450 skatepark projects in low-income areas throughout the country.