KEARNEY — The long-standing tradition of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, celebrated since 1923, continues to honor the nation’s most talented young artists and writers.
This esteemed competition, known for its illustrious list of past participants including icons like Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, and Stephen King, provides a platform for students in grades 7–12 across the United States to showcase their creative prowess in both the visual and literary arts.
In a commendable display of talent and creativity, Kearney High School students have once again made their mark at the Scholastic Art Awards of Nebraska, held on March 9, 2024, at the Omaha Public Schools Teacher Administrative Center where the art exhibition will be on display until April 19, 2024. A total of 31 artworks by Kearney High students were selected for this prestigious competition, with nine outstanding pieces winning the coveted Gold Key Awards, marking them as the top entries in the state.
The Awards categorize achievements as Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention. Gold Key winners from this event are elevated to the national competition level, spotlighting the highest echelon of student achievement in this program.
This year’s recipients from Kearney High include:
Gold Key
- Abbie Bausch – Drawing & Illustration – Untitled
- Abbie Bausch – Drawing & Illustration – Longing
- Vivianne Beck – Sculpture – The Stressed Out Peacock
- Edith Hall – Sculpture – Untitled
- Edith Hall – Painting – Residual Control
- Edith Hall – Painting – Untitled
- Quinn Peralta Trejo – Drawing & Illustration – Self-Portrait
- Evangelina Wilterding – Drawing & Illustration – Being Silly
- Myka Otten – Printmaking – Fish Tank
Silver Key
- Madison Mather – Drawing & Illustration – Highlighted
- Madison Mather – Drawing & Illustration – Unmasked
- Victoria Carlson – Digital Art – Cow
- Gage Fryda – Design – Social Media Graphics
- Delphina Kollars – Ceramics – Whale Shark
- Cesar Chavarria – Ceramics -Purple and Prickly
Honorable Mention
- Eleanor Bokenkamp – Drawing & Illustration – Eleanor
- Eleanor Bokenkamp – Drawing & Illustration – Walks of Life
- Edith Hall – Sculpture – Untitled
- Edith Hall – Painting – Untitled
- Addison Jezbera – Drawing & Illustration – The Broken Flower
- Addison Jezbera – Drawing & Illustration – Shadows and Me
- Madison Mather – Drawing & Illustration – Undersea Ink
- Cameron McClellen – Drawing & Illustration – Shocked
- Aydan Nelson – Drawing & Illustration – Authenticity
- Elizabeth Ramirez – Sculpture – A Part of Me
- MaKaila Hagan – Digital Art – airhead
- Edith Hall – Design – Vintage Deck of Cards
- Lexi Thiele – Printmaking – Nabi
- Mya Whisler – Printmaking – Cowboy
- Ryanne Schneider – Ceramics – Nature’s Struggle
- Delphina Kollars – Ceramics – Steggy Mug
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards not only celebrate student achievement but also provide young creatives with invaluable opportunities to be recognized and exposed to a broader audience. Through their participation, students gain a sense of the professional standards expected in the visual and literary arts, encouraging them to pursue their passions and refine their skills.
Kearney High School is proud of its students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to their artistic and literary endeavors. Their achievements in the Scholastic Art Awards of Nebraska highlight the vibrant creativity and potential within our community, promising a bright future for these young artists and writers.
Congratulations to Kearney High teachers Natasha Hahn, Katrina Olmstead, and Charlotte Dvorak.
