The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are a national competition.  You can read more about this on their website here. 

"Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7–12 apply in 29 categories of art and writing. In 2017, students submitted more than 330,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards.

Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.

Students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Visions & Voices Nominations are celebrated within their communities through local exhibitions and ceremonies. Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel of creative–industry experts to receive National Medals, including Gold, Silver, American Visions & Voices, Portfolio Silver with Distinction or Portfolio Gold Medals and Special Awards. National Medalist are recognized in part at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Regional Awards
Gold Key
The very best works submitted to local programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national–level recognition

Silver Key
Stand-out works submitted to local programs that demonstrate exceptional ability.

Honorable Mention
Accomplished works submitted to local programs showing great skill and potential.

American Visions & Voices Nominees
Five works, from across all categories and grades, are selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best-of-Show” for each local program as nominees for the American Visions & Voices Medals."

Students' work will be displayed in an exhibition at a Northern Virginia Community College from February 19-March 15.