A paintbrush, revealed Angela Zhou, is a relaxing tool.
Angela, who is a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, has been painting since she was six years old.
“It helps take the stress out of school,” Angela admitted.
That source of relief has resulted in a collection of elite awards for Angela.
Angela was notified in late March that she was honored with the prestigious 2025 National Scholastic Award, earning both a Gold Medal and the American Vision Award.
According to the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in the United States.
The Gold Medal is the highest honor a student can receive, with less than one percent of all students submitting works earning this award. Only 150 out of over 300,000 submissions receive the American Vision Award.
According to its website, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization, identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Awards have an impressive legacy dating to 1923.
In addition to her Scholastic Award, Angela also placed first in the Teen Category of the 17th International ARC Salon Competition, the world’s largest and most prestigious competition dedicated to 21st-century realism. She was awarded a $2,500 prize for her exceptional work.
She has been an artist since “I was six years old.”
“I also like to listen to music while I paint,” Angela revealed.
Her award-winning painting, titled “Laboratory Study,” was submitted to the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers following the studio's recommendation, where she crafted her fine artworks at The Art Academy in Hillsborough.
There, she works closely with the founder of The Art Academy, Kevin Murphy.
Growing up, she won numerous awards for her paintings, designed a book cover, and illustrated three children’s books.
Angela, who studied Digital Art during her first year at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, is on track to be a student in the AP Art and Design class this coming fall at the high school.
She will continue to thrive in her work in that course next school year while preparing for college. She hopes to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania and study business while continuing to paint.
Her painting commitment and success have not prevented her from being involved in extracurricular activities at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
She is the Treasurer for the Student Council, the Marketing Director for the “Lunch Buddy” club, a member of the Model United Nations, the French Honor Society, and the Key Club. At the same time, she runs for the track and field team and also the cross-country squad.