Notre Dame Academy’s Szofia Komaromy-Hiller saw her words come to life this weekend as her National Award-winning Scholastic writing was presented on Broadway. Komaromy-Hiller’s composition, “In That Case, I’ll Stick to Politics,” was awarded a Scholastic National Gold Medal as one of the most outstanding works in the country. Komaromy-Hiller was also presented with a National Best-in-Grade Medal as well as an American Voices Medal for her humorous writing. Saturday, June 2, The Actors Company Theatre (TACT), one of New York City’s most respected Off-Broadway companies presented Komaromy-Hiller’s “In That Case I’ll Stick to Politics” at their Broadway theater space.
The 89th annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards ceremony was held at Carnegie Hall on Friday, June 1. Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep addressed more than 800 teens and their families and teachers representing 46 states at the event. “Streep delivered an inspirational message to the young artists and writers,” said Komaromy-Hiller who was fortunate to be seated in the third row at the ceremony. Presented by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the country’s longest-running, most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative teenagers. The Awards is the largest program of its kind, and provides students across the country with opportunities for exhibition and publication of their work, as well as a series of celebratory events in New York City for national winners and their teachers.
Komaromy-Hiller was thrilled to take the stage at Carnegie Hall to receive her awards and see her award-winning writing performed on Broadway. “I have attended many plays in NYC, Los Angeles, Toronto, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Budapest (Hungary), and Cincinnati and I always thought it would be so amazing to be the author of a theatre production,” said Komaromy-Hiller. She gave credit to Linda Bricking, her english teacher at Notre Dame Academy, saying “Thank you for the way you instilled self-efficacy in all the topics covered in class this year in me.” Bricking was awarded the Scholastic Gold Medal for Teachers and is the only teacher in the nation who had a student winning three national Scholastic awards. Komaromy-Hiller will be a junior at Notre Dame Academy this fall.