Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BROOKHAVEN – A pair of students from Natchez received nearly three dozen awards in the 2025 Regional Scholastic Writing Competition, and one of those students will advance to national competition.

Cooper Brumfield, a senior, and Kierstyn Warner, a junior, are students The Mississippi School for the Arts in Brookhaven. They were among the MSA students who won a total of 149 awards in the competition. All were honored at the Eudora Welty House and Gardens in Jackson.

Brumfield received 30 awards including the Prestigious American Voices Nomination, 10 Gold Keys including his portfolio of work, eight Silver Keys and 12 Honorable Mentions. He will advance to the national competition with is American Voices Nomination and 10 Gold Keys, including his portfolio of work.

Warner received three Honorable Mentions.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative youth. Teens in grades 7–12, are invited to enter their art or writing for the chance to win recognition, publication, exhibition, and up to $10,000 in scholarships.

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 eleventh- and twelfth-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 15th.

MSA also offers a Summer Camp for rising 8th-10th graders with scholarships available.