BY ABBY WICHTERMAN
On Saturday, January 26, an awards ceremony was held at Kent State University to honor high school students who had created art pieces that exceeded all expectations. Wadsworth was represented by several students and their work was recognized by the Scholastic Committee in a showcase. Three seniors were rewarded with keys- an award that is considered to be one of the highest honors.
Student art work was submitted by Mr. Derrig, the high school’s AP art and Advanced Art teacher. The Scholastic Committee then reviewed these submissions and chose which pieces would be awarded with keys.
“We were awarded our keys and a certificate,” Alexandra Zuder, 12, stated. “In the letter they gave us, it stated that of the 3000 entries around- 400 were awarded keys.”
Alexandra Zuder, 12, poses with her water color painting. Zuder received a Silver Key for her art work. Photo Courtesy of Alexandra Zuder
Alexandra Zuder, Becca Dupont, and Colleen Hallas had the honor of being awarded with such keys and each color had a significant meaning.
Alexandra Zuder created a watercolor painting of the Akron Civic Theater and became one of the recipients of the honorary silver key. A silver key is the second highest honor and its color meant that the judges believed that the art was some of the best in the region.
The highest prize that an artist could win was a gold key. Being awarded a gold key meant that the art deserves to be recognized on a national level and Colleen Hallas was a proud recipient of such an award along with several other silver keys. Her art work received national scholastic recognition.
Colleen poses next to her colored pencil foreshortening drawing. She has been doing art all through high school, and is currently taking the AP art class. Photo courtesy of Colleen Hallas
“I felt so honored to be recognized considering I was among a lot of really talented students,” Colleen Hallas said, “Being truly recognized doesn’t happen often for art students.”
Many other young artists across Northeast Ohio were recognised at the Scholastic Art Awards. But of the 3000 submissions, Wadsworth was represented by forty students who received honorable mentions and keys.
The Scholastic Art Awards gave an opportunity for young talent to be recognized and as the hard work of Wadsworth’s art students continue to grow, the opportunities there will be for the art department will grow as well.
