PARKERSBURG — Megan Ferch, a senior at Parkersburg Catholic High School, was one of 18 Gold Key Award winners for 1st Place in the Southeast Region of the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Her portfolio, “Why I Was Up at 1 a.m.,” was among 18 entries that moved to the national competition in March. At the national level, the National Silver Key Award was presented to Ferch for her portfolio.

Ferch also received a Regional Silver Key in the poetry, science fiction and personal essay and an honorable mention for her short story. She was the lone representative from Parkersburg and Wood County competing at the national competition.

Ferch is the daughter of Tony and Michele Ferch of Washington, W.Va. She is planning on attending Wheeling Jesuit University in the fall and majoring in communication.