Camden Central School District -

Two talented students at Camden High School recently added to an already-impressive collection of art accolades with two more prestigious awards. The Camden High School art department is pleased to announce that seniors Dolmae Honrales and Matt Melancon were chosen to receive the coveted Gold Key awards for their work as part of the 2025 Central New York Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

The Gold Key is the highest available award in Scholastic regional competition, and recipients are automatically qualified to compete for medals in the National Scholastic Art Competition.

On the National level, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth since 1923, and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated. Through the Awards, students receive opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. Students across America submit hundreds of thousands of works each year for consideration across 28 categories, starting in their region before advancing to national competition.

All award winners in the regional round are put on public exhibit in the Central New York Scholastic Art Show at Onondaga Community College.

"Dolmae and Matt have worked so hard and truly deserve this outstanding recognition,” Art Teacher Amy Andrews said. “As a department, we have watched these students grow and have had the wonderful opportunity to nurture their talent through the years. We couldn't be prouder of the artists, and people they have become!”

For a second consecutive year, Honrales is a Gold Key winner. This year, she secured top honors in the painting category with her work “Let’s Play”. Her 2024 winner, a self-portrait, was part of a curated collection that was exhibited alongside her peers, and an internationally-renowned permanent collection at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. She also earned a 2024 Silver Key in the Watercolor Painting category.

After earning honorable mention honors last year, Melancon ascends to the top rung in this year’s awards with a mixed media entry entitled “Chainsaw Man”. His 2024 honorable mention was a self-portrait drawing.

According to Andrews, both students plan to continue honing their craft beyond high school.

“Both Dolmae and Matt are graduating this year and are headed off to pursue careers in the visual arts,” Andrews said. “We will miss them so much but know they will do amazing things!”