Last October, 14 winners of The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2000 received heartbreaking news. Their winning art pieces had been on display in the offices of an investment firm, Friends, Ivory & Sime, in New York City—inside the World Trade Center.

"It was very shocking," said Ian Crane of Wichita, Kansas, whose photograph "Piper" was one of the award winners on display. "Finding out a piece of my work was destroyed in the September 11 tragedy sent chills up my spine. I got a knot in my throat. There was a large piece of my heart and soul in my photo that now lies beneath the rubble at Ground Zero."

The young artists, who were between 11 and 18 when they submitted their work, represented 12 different states—from Massachusetts to Kentucky to California. Their work was selected from 250,000 student submissions. As winners of the 79-year-old awards program last year, they received certificates of achievement, cash awards, and scholarships.

When they heard the sad news of their new place in history, several of the artists responded with a positive attitude and fresh perspective on what was not lost.

"I can continue to pursue my art and other dreams, and yet many people have had their lives changed forever as a result of this attack," says 17-year-old artist Emily Lovett of Barrington, Illinois. "I am hopeful that we will all appreciate what we have today and celebrate the talents we are given."

Ian, now 20, says the constant circle of life is giving him hope: "Realizing nothing on this fragile Earth is permanent helps me accept the huge changes that have affected us all. From every loss taken and every tear shed, comes a new life born and a fresh smile for tomorrow."

Think About It: Have you ever lost something special that couldn't be replaced? How did you feel? What advice would you offer someone in this situation?

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  Langston's Train Ride by Robert Burleigh and Leonard Jenkins Langston Hughes, at 18 years of age, boards a train in Ohio, heading for Mexico. On this journey of self-discovery young Langston pens his famous poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" on the back of an envelope. This inspiring story of artistic vocation and creation is accompanied by the poem and beautiful illustrations. "A joyous celebration of the journey and the word." - SLJ. $4.95 Paperback Book | Grades 3-5

  
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