by JIM CULLEN
Hays High School art students (left to right) Mark Oldham, Hillary Gee and Iann Tennille brought home awards from the recent Scholastic Art competition, This is the first time the Rebs have competed in the contest. (Photo by Marnie Hart)
The annual Scholastic Art competition has become fertile territory for Lehman High School’s art department the past few years and this year Hays High School art students made positive moves into the same realm. Results announced from the two campuses indicate growing excellence in both programs.
Lehman art students scored big with four Gold Key awards, three Silver Key awards and ten Certificates of Merit. Their counterparts from Hays entered 12 pieces of work in their first year in the competition and returned with a pair of Gold Keys and three Certificates of Merit.
The competition, Lehman’s Debra Flynn said, is “a unique contest” with a small judges panel picking work to be honored and shown. Students compete against all grade levels. Flynn says a strong component in the judging is the “emerging voice” of the artist, taking originality, creativity and mastery of the craftsmanship of the medium into account.
Lehman Art Department partner Jeanne Stewart, echoing Flynn’s sense of pride in their students, said, “These kids worked very hard on their animations and it really shows!”
Bringing home four Gold Keys (and an American Visions Award), three Silver Keys and ten Certificates of Merit, Lehman High School’s Scholastic Arts Award winners include (back, left to right) Julio Santos, Tina Wait; (center, left to right) Luis Amaya, Ashley McCain, Jared Rodriguez, Kendall Davis, Joey Folks; (front, left to right) Josh Martinez, Lena Weise, David Hebert, Michelle Williamson and Matt Salazar. (Photo by Debra Flynn)
Referring to her school’s first entry into the competition, Hays High art teacher Marnie Hart said, “For us, these students are pioneers. And, of course, we’re so proud to have them represent Hays High School and our art program!”
Highlighting the district’s showing was Lehman’s Jared Rodriguez, winner of the American Visions Award, one of only five chosen for the highly-competitive meet. Jared is the Lobos’ third American Visions Award Winner.
Receiving Gold Keys and advancing to national competition were Lehman’s Rodriguez (Drawing and Mixed Media), Matt Salazar (Drawing) and Kendall Davis (Film and Animation). In his school’s first appearance at the competition, Hays senior Iann Tennille received a pair of Gold Keys in Drawing.
Lobos earning Silver Keys included David Hebert (Film and Animation), Matt Salazar (Drawing) and Jared Rodriguez (with an additional entry in Portfolio).
Recognized with Certificates of Merit were Hays students Mark Oldham (Drawing) and Hillary Gee (two awards, both for Drawing). Lobos receiving Certificates of Merit included Josh Martinez (Photography), Lena Weise (Digital Photography), Michelle Williamson (2 awards, both for Sculpture), Luis Amaya (Comic Art), Ashley McCain (Digital Photography), Joey Folks (Film and Animation), Julio Santos (2 awards, one in Portfolio, one in Digital Photography) and Tina Wait (Photography).
