Venice Arts’ advanced photography students-Sequoia Canada, age 16, and Zinnia Moreno, age 18-have been selected by the National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) as 2015 YoungArts Winners.

Out of more than 11,000 applications, 786 young artists from 46 states are being recognized for their outstanding work and accomplishments in one of ten disciplines across the literary, visual, design and performing arts. Sequoia and Zinnia are 2 of only 10 Finalists in Photography selected from across the nation.

As Finalists, Zinnia and Sequoia will have the opportunity to participate in the 34th annual National YoungArts Week, which takes place in Miami from January 4 to 11, 2015. Winners are also eligible to become U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, as YoungArts is the exclusive nominating agency for this high honor for artistically talented graduating high school seniors.

Last year, Venice Arts’ student Angela Francis was selected as U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, after winning the Gold Award at YoungArts, which came with a $10,000 scholarship. Venice Arts’ student Arthur Cooke took the Silver Award, which included a $5,000 scholarship. Angela is currently studying photojournalism at Boston University on a full scholarship; Arthur is in his first year at NYU.