Amelia Whitaker of Brookhaven, a senior at Mississippi School of the Arts, has been recognized in the 2025 Regional Scholastic Writing Competition with a Silver Key for her portfolio of work. 

MSA junior and senior literary artists received 149 total awards in the competition. They will be recognized at a ceremony at the Eudora Welty House and Gardens. 

Students who won Gold Key and Prestigious American Voices awards will advance to the national competition. Teens in grades seven to 12 can enter to win up to $10,000 in scholarships, as well as publication and exhibition. 

MSA’s Literary program instructor is Dr. Nadia Alexis. Critical Essays were submitted by English/Literature students, taught by MSA English teacher, Tobie Lambert.

MSA is an 11th and 12th grade visual and performing arts residential, public high school located in Brookhaven. Students not only meet and exceed the traditional Mississippi high school curriculum, they receive special instruction in visual arts, vocal music, dance, writing/literary arts, filmmaking/media arts and theatre. MSA also has a “Collegiate Academy” program where qualified students can earn their high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time at no cost! In addition to MSA students winning awards for their work on the state, regional and national levels, the school consistently has one of the highest ACT averages in the state. 

Students interested in MSA apply their sophomore year.  MSA will be holding additional auditions for 10th graders interested in vocal, theatre, dance, media/filmmaking and literary/creative writing April 25.  Applications are due April 15.

MSA also offers a Summer Camp for rising eighth-10th graders with scholarships available.

For more information email admissions@msabrookhaven.org, visit  www.msabrookhaven.org or call 601-823-1300.