Students in the art department entered pieces into the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest. This contest consisted of 2,300 entries at the regional level. 14 of the Washburn Rural students were recognized at this level. As a school they received 13 honorable mentions, two silver keys, and four gold keys. All recipients of a gold key are given the opportunity to go onto the national competition. Junior Ben Tilghman won a national silver medal for his entry.