MATTAPOISETT — Out of over 7,000 entrants, Old Rochester Regional High School senior Jed Dupree was awarded with a “Golden Key” in a state-wide art competition.

“I’m so happy for Jed for so many reasons,” said Old Rochester Regional High School art teacher Kate Butler. “His artwork [went] up against the best of the best in the state and it was recognized, and caught the eye of the judges.”

Jed was one of over 7,000 Massachusetts high school-age artists who entered the Scholastic Art Awards competition.

According to the competition’s website, the Scholastic Art Awards is the nation’s “longest-running and most prestigious contest for creative teens,” past winners include notable artists and writers like Andy Warhol, Truman Capote and Sylvia Plath.

Golden Key awards are given out to the top five percent of entrants in any category.

According to Butler, Dupree entered two pieces into the competition.

The first, a tempera painting of a ribcage, was made in Butler’s Advanced Placement art class at Old Rochester Regional High School.

The other, an oil painting of a sickle hanging above a goat, was made with his out-of-school art tutor.

“Both images are simple and uncluttered, but very powerful,” said Butler.

Dupree plans on attending the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the fall. 

Dupree wasn’t the only Old Rochester student to be recognized at the Scholastic Art Awards, Nicole Londergan entered a ceramic mask and walked away with an honorable mention for her “technical skill and personal vision.”