Scholastics Art and Writing Competition results are in
The results for the Northeast Ohio region of the Scholastics Art and Writing Competition officially arrived this week. Mr. Sean Berrodin and Mr. Brian Caponi’s art classes had entered dozens of art pieces, and AHS performed quite well in this year’s competition, easily topping last year’s.
Three AP Art students, Seniors Sakura Reed, Caeley Blechschmid, and Lexie Mehallis, achieved the highest honor of a Gold Portfolio for their art pieces. Additionally, Senior Alyssa Korecky won five Gold individual pieces and two Silvers, as well as all (8) of the AP Art students receiving at least multiple Honorable Mentions.
“It is so exciting to see the hard work and dedication of students being recognized amongst their peers,” said Berrodin on the results. “Art is it’s own reward, but it is tremendous to see them get the honor of acknowledgement by the show. We sent so many pieces of great artwork, and I am proud of everyone who entered.”
Several art students not in AP Art also received honors. Junior Rees Jones, an upcoming AP Art student for next year, won a silver for his colored pencil piece, “F Your Flowers.”
“I really wasn’t expecting to win anything,” said Jones, “so I was pleasantly surprised to hear I got a silver.”
Most of the students who won, especially the gold portfolios of which only six get chosen from the competition, were very excited to see success.
“I was shocked and happy to find out I got a gold portfolio,” said Blechschmid. “It wasn’t something I expected to get and I’m glad to see my hard work get recognized, even though I won’t be continuing to do art in the future.”
Mehallis seconded the notion, agreeing that although she does not plan to continue doing art in college, it’s great to be validated of your talent.
Others were less ecstatic about their results. Senior Deanna Sagaris said, “I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get more, especially because most of my honorable mentions were for photography, not my actual art. I wasn’t surprised though; I know I could’ve worked harder on my pieces.”
Korecky was also upset. “Honestly, I’m a little bothered since I got five golds and two silvers all on one portfolio, but somehow that didn’t add up to a gold portfolio. I’m glad I got some recognition though, since I worked so hard on all my paintings.”
Overall, it was a good year for AHS and Scholastics, especially against last year’s results, which had dipped unnaturally. Aurora had the second most awards in the region, second only to Hudson, who’s photography program won many mentions this year. Artists look forward to the Governer’s Show in March as the next opportunity to win awards and scholarships.
