Cypress Woods Graduate Earns National Photography Honor at Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
A Cypress Woods High School senior has made national headlines—not for a touchdown, a GPA, or a scholarship, but for the power of her lens.
Eleri Young, a recent graduate of Cypress Woods High School in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, was one of only a handful of Houston-area teens invited to Carnegie Hall this June as a 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Medalist. Her photograph, titled “Displaced”, earned not only a Gold Medal but also an American Visions Medal—an honor bestowed on just three students across Greater Houston this year.
The national recognition followed a months-long selection process that began in December 2024, when more than 310,000 works were submitted by nearly 110,000 students across the country. Ultimately, only about 2,800 submissions received National Medals.
Young’s striking black-and-white photo captures her stepfather, David Clark, seated in the bed of an old dump truck. The symmetry of the truck’s framing and the quiet solitude of the subject—clad in a white shirt and black hat, his back turned to the lens—invites the viewer into a space of contemplation, memory, and subtle tension. That image, equal parts stillness and storytelling, stood out on a national scale.
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Celebrated in New York City
Young traveled to New York City in June alongside her parents and photography teacher Teri Farrell, who has taught Young since her freshman year. The group attended the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall on June 11, where students from across the country were recognized for excellence in visual art and writing.
“I am so proud of her and I think she’s super talented,” said Farrell, who watched Young grow through four levels of high school photography. “She probably doesn’t give herself enough credit for that so I hope getting this award will confirm in her that she really is creative and spur her to continue with that creativity and share it.”
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, administered nationally by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is the country’s longest-running recognition program for young creatives. The American Visions Medal is particularly rare—it is considered the “Best in Region” award for students who already earned Gold Key recognition locally.
Young’s piece stood among other notable works from teens who’ve gone on to become luminaries in the arts, including Stephen King, Amanda Gorman, and Andy Warhol—all past Scholastic winners.
Eleri Young's "Displaced".From Model to Photographer
Although she once appeared in front of the camera as a child model, Young found her creative home behind the lens.
“She’s been really inspirational,” Young said of Farrell. “The fact that I had her as my teacher for four years, I felt a bond with her.”
That support and consistency helped Young build confidence in her style—leaning into moody, candid compositions that often feature the people closest to her. Her stepfather, Clark, has appeared in many of her pieces and also shares a creative background as a professional sculptor. Their mutual respect as artists created a comfortable space for Young to experiment with framing, depth, and concept.
“Eleri Young is an artist with an eye beyond her years,” said Dr. Chandel Hancock, professional learning and student recognition officer at Harris County Department of Education, the regional affiliate that manages the competition locally. “Her recognition at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is more than a personal achievement; it’s a teachable moment for visual arts educators and students alike.”
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An Unexpected Hurdle Behind the Scenes
While Young’s artistic talent was never in doubt, her path to the podium in New York came with a brief moment of uncertainty.
After her photo was announced locally as both an American Visions nominee and Gold Key winner, a note briefly appeared on Farrell’s submission portal suggesting there might be a concern. It was later revealed that Young’s award-winning photo had been unintentionally flagged by Scholastic for review—due to its appearance, without her byline, in a biography written by her stepfather for a gallery show.
Because Clark and Young have different last names, and the credit wasn’t immediately clear, the system initially mistook the image as someone else’s work. Farrell quickly stepped in to clarify the connection and verify the image’s original authorship. The issue was resolved quietly, and Young’s awards were confirmed.
The moment, though rattling, became a meaningful real-world lesson in creative integrity, authorship, and the power of attribution—especially in families where art is a shared endeavor.
Eleri Young (left) with her high school photography teacher, Teri Farrell (right).Looking Ahead
As Young prepares to attend the University of Texas at Dallas to study finance, photography will remain a part of her life—even if just as a passion project for now. Farrell, however, hopes her student doesn’t put down the camera for good.
“I couldn’t be more proud of her and I really hope she takes to heart the award,” said Farrell. “I truly do think she has this amazing vision and I hope she continues to use it as she goes off to college and pursues other avenues of creativity. I hope she shares it with the world.”
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more local student success stories and community highlights from Cypress-Fairbanks and beyond.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
