Welcome and Awards Presentation

Happy Day Two of the SCBWI Conference!

Thank you for the Team Blog shoutout, Sarah! This morning was full of anticipation because…

AWARDS!!!!

It is so special to be recognized by your peers and the attendees were so excited! Sarah Diamond, the Associate Director Of Digital Content And Awards presented the scholarships and Grant Awards. Congratulations to all of the winners and honorees!

BIPOC Scholarship 

(For Black, Indigenous and People of Color)

Tamika Gibson

Lindsay Quintanilla 

Student Illustrator Scholarship 

(for full-time university students studying illustration)

Amy Selstad

Lauren McPheters

Author-Illustrator Scholarship 

(funded by Little Brown Books for Young Reaers)

Judith Valdés B.

Translator Scholarship 

(funded by Ruta Sepetys)

Hongyu Jasmine Zhu

2024 Works of Outstanding Promise (WOOP) Grant

Winner ($2000):

Melissa Miles (Sam of the Seas)

Honor ($1000): 

Annie Harmon (Damnation) 

2024 The Regional Advisor Marketing (RAM) Grants

Winner ($2000): 

Anita Fitch Pazner (Words Matter: The story oof Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance)

Honor ($1000): 

Caz Goodwin (Wombat Dreaming)

2024 Narrative Art Award Winner

Shubo Yu for Common Ground 

TeMika Grooms, the Manager of Design and Illustration took to the stage to announce the Portfolio Showcase Winners!

The judges spent much time reviewing the portfolios, and took a lot of notes. TeMika told the attendees that the judges thought “All of the portfolios were BANGIN” this year! I couldn’t agree more!

“You should be very proud of yourself. You showed up and put your portfolio on the table. You pushed pass things you needed to pass through and you showed up.You should be so proud of that!” - TeMika Grooms

This year, the winners will enjoy the additional benefit of having their work presents at the SCBWI booth at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Now onto the winner! 

Congratulations to: 

The Bronze Award winners will receive:

- One virtual meeting with an art director or agent who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio.

-One image from the winner’s portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. 

Judges Thoughts on their work: 

"Range. Good figure work. Simple and magical. “Saturday Evening post meets magical realism.” A mix of magic and realism in one portfolio which  is very rare. Strong characters. Cinematic look"

Judge's Thoughts on their work: 

"Spare. Great sketching. Great emotive character work and gesture"

The Silver Award winners will receive:

-Two virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,

-A one-year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and

-One image from your portfolio will be showcased  in the SCBWI booth at the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. 

Judge's Thoughts on their work: 

“A good illustrator is a good designer” The art has Richness. Texture. Unique style. It's Fresh and contemporary. 

The Gold Award winners will receive:

-Two phone/virtual meetings with art directors/agents who will provide guidance and feedback on your portfolio,

-Free admission ticket to the next in-person New York Conference (room and airfare not included),

-A one-year renewal of your SCBWI membership, and

-Two images from your portfolio will be showcased in the SCBWI booth at the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Judge's Thoughts on their work: 

Spare. Consistency while still feeling “Special." Demonstrated Portrait style, lettering, and brushwork. It has a Jump off the page” quality.

Congratulations to all of the winners!