At a Performance Award Luncheon held April 10 at Bird Key Yacht Club, this year’s high school senior winners of the Launching Leaders in the Arts Competition displayed their phenomenal art, and read their winning writing to the delight and awe of members, teachers, family, and donors. This year, ten students talented in art and letters spoke about their inspiration and plans and shared their work. This year’s judges noted, “With diverse entries from many schools, choosing the winners was challenging. In the end, the winning entries showcased the immense talent and passion of the students and their ability to, in art and writing, let us into their emotional lives. We also marveled at how the winners powerfully and articulately expressed the motivation underlying their winning creations when receiving their awards.” This year represented the 37th year the Sarasota Pen Women, part of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc. have awarded monetary prizes to high school seniors. talented in visual arts, letters, and music from 17 high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties. “The Mission of the League, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, is to encourage, recognize, and promote the production of creative work of professional standard in Art, Letters, and Music, and through outreach activities to provide educational, creative, and professional support to members and non-members in these disciplines.’ The core values of the NLAPW are respect, knowledge, creation and preservation of the arts.” This year’s young and talented winners stand as proof that the arts are alive and thriving. “The Mission of the League, a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, is to encourage, recognize, and promote the production of creative work of professional standard in Art, Letters, and Music, and through outreach activities provide educational, creative, and professional support to members and non-members in these disciplines.’ The core values of the NLAPW are respect, knowledge, creation and preservation of the arts.”