Hays High School’s (left to right) Jorge Salinas, Parker Thornton, and Caragh Givens are all advancing to the state Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) competition, having been selected for the high honor at the recent regional VASE meet. Jorge, a senior, advances with his Drawing entry titled “Ready to Go,” Parker, a junior, advances for his Drawing entry titled “Monster Under the Bed,” and Caragh, a sophomore, advances with both her Drawing entry, “Namark” and her Mixed Media entry, “Congress.” (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
Five local high school art students, three of them from Hays High School, the other two from Lehman, have earned the right to compete at the state level with their work, the result of qualification at the recent Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) meet in San Marcos. Hays High School’s Jorge Salinas, Caragh Givens, and Parker Thornton and Lehman High School’s Anissa Gamez and Matt Salazar will represent their schools. The Rebels’ Givens will compete with a pair of her art works.
Sponsors at both Hays and Lehman reported a toughening of competition and scoring this year, resulting in fewer advancing local pieces than in recent years. Still, excitement was high for those who did advance, the judgment of “great accomplishment” being echoed in the art departments of both campuses.
The full list of students earning a “4,” the highest rating in VASE competition included the following:
Lehman – (Drawing/Painting) Edwin Garcia, Rachel Hernandez, Luke Holleran, Ashley Jimenez (2), Hilda Martinez, Elizabeth Mercado (2), Victor Seguin, Andrea Silva, Veronica Vargas, Sabrina Cortez (2), Yesenia Delgado, Kristina Mallen, Pretty Vo, Matt Salazar (2, State Qualifier), Anissa Gamez (2, State Qualifier); (Mixed Media) Marissa Tijernia, Rosiele Garcia, Alyrice Scott, Caitlin Walsh, Alex Garza, Michaela Lehman, Michael Lippe, Kristina Mallen, Abigail Martin, Sarah Reeves (2), Marilyn Villazana, Christina Wait (2), Gwyndolyn Wilkerson (2).
(Printmaking) Eugene Jared, Hilda Martinez, Chris Vargas, Gabbi Adauto, Tabryn Cox, Lauren Lumague; (Ceramics/Sculpture) Charlotte Ruyle, Jerian Delano (2), Michelle Williamson (2), Heather Ayala; (Photography/Digital Art) Shelby Sites (2), Taylor Chrysley, Jeremiah Flynn (2), Eric Guerrero (2), Cassidy Hall, Abigail Martin, Michael Lippe, Dominic Martinez, Ashley McCain, Nicole Portillo (2), Phoebe Sosa (2), Kim Torres, Pretty Vo.
Hays High – (Drawing/Painting) Javon Baca, Austin Dennis, Maria Frias, Caragh Givens (State Qualifier), Mark Oldham (2), Mazie Pettigrew, Jorge Salinas (State Qualifier), Patti Swanson (2), Parker Thornton (2) State Qualifier), Cynthia Vannatter, Molly Vladyka, Anna Weinheimer, Sarah Yager; (Mixed Media) Caragh Givens (State Qualifier), Katelyn Kelsey, Sarah Yager, Rodrigo Castro, Colton Domm, Charlotte Jacobs, Lauren Nicole Riley, Sarah Bowman.
(Ceramics) Zahir Martinez, Samantha Silguero; (Photography) Andrea Bentley, Zackary Garcia, Brenda Godinez, Laina Gonzales, Venissa Martinez, Jesslin Mejorado, Emily Rougeux, Cassidy Smith, Dorothy Thompson; (Electronic Media) Adriana Facundo, Sydney Osborne (2).
