Watertown High School senior Camille Crismon is trading the prairie for the bright lights of New York City this June. Following a rigorous national competition, Crismon has been named a 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Winner, securing two of the highest honors a young artist can receive: a National Gold Key Award and the prestigious American Visions Award. Camille’s journey began at the state level, where her film, titled “Exodus,” first caught the attention of judges at the University of South Dakota. After earning a State Gold Key, the film advanced to the national stage for evaluation by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts. The competition is famously steep. This year, over 110,000 students submitted more than 335,000 original works. Camille’s win places her in the top tier of young creators in the country, recognized for her originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal vision. By earning these national medals, Camille joins an elite legacy of American creators. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which have celebrated teen artists since 1923, boast an alumni list that includes cultural icons such as: Stephen King, Andy Warhol, Amanda Gorman, Tschabalala Self, Joyce Carol Oates. The American Visions Award is a particularly rare distinction, often referred to as a “Best in Show” honor, recognizing the most standout work from each regional program. In addition to the prestige, Camille’s achievement comes with a well-deserved scholarship to support her future studies. Her work will be featured in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Online Gallery and listed in Yearbook 2026, a companion to the annual anthologies that showcase National Medalists. The celebration will culminate this June in New York City, where Camille will be recognized during a special national ceremony at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall. Watertown High School staff and students are rallying behind their national champion. “We are thrilled to celebrate Cami for this extraordinary achievement," the school shared in a statement. “Cami, we can’t wait to see your name in lights!”
