Picture This: Northview Student Wins Silver Key

By David Tay

staff writer

“Objects in Mirror Closer Than They Appear”
by Ellie Haveman

Each year, thousands of students grades 7-12 enter into the nationwide contest to try their hands at potentially winning scholarships in the Scholastic Arts & Writing Competition. Artists such as Andy Warhol and writers such as Sylvia Plath have won awards at the prestigious event and on January 6th, Northview junior Ellie Haveman joined the list of award winners.

Photography, one of the contest’s 17 different art categories is what Haveman received her awards in. She walked away this year with two of the competition’s Silver Key Awards for two different photos she took. The Silver Key, second only to the Gold Key in individual competition, is an honor that less than 200 students received in the West Central Michigan Region this year. 

"Pure" by Ellie Haveman

The photographs she took, titled Pure and Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear, go beyond a simple picture in terms of meaning. Pure, a portrait photograph, embodies the beauty of simplicity. “When I look at it, the freckles are the most prominent feature that stands out to me and I really think of those as such a natural feature, hence the title,” Haveman said. Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear is a picture that resembles what summer is like for Haveman: “Just hanging out with friends and adventuring with no real itinerary.”

The Scholastic Arts & Writing Competition dates back as early as 1923. Since then, the competition has seen many competitors go on to be famous artists and writers. Today, the nationwide competition receives thousands of entries and awards scholarships up to $10,000 for the top pieces of art.

“Winning the Silver Key award for both of the pictures is something that I’m really proud of,” Haveman said. Last year she received an honorable mention, so receiving the Silver Key indicates a positive trend in her photography skills. “I am looking forward to improving my skills and evolving my style in the future.” Haveman hopes to win a Gold Key next year, which would automatically qualify her for the national level of competition, in which the largest scholarships are up for grabs.

Ellie's Website and online portfolio are available here

[*Disclaimer: Ellie Haveman is a staff writer of this publication but was not involved in the decision, writing or editing of this article.]

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