UCS students earn nearly 200 honors in annual Scholastic Arts program

Nearly 200 honors were awarded to Utica Community Schools students through the annual Scholastic Arts competition, with five high school students also earning top awards for their portfolios.

Of the works accepted into the exhibition, approximately 50 UCS entries are regional Gold Key winners, which will move forward to the national competition.

Of the five American Visions awards from the entire Thumb area, two are from Utica Community Schools: Carlie Gibson, Utica High School, mixed media; and Michael Kramer, Eisenhower High School, photography. These artists will represent the region on the national level as American Vision nominees.

Top honors – or “Gold Keys” - for art portfolios were awarded to: Rita Al-falah, of Stevenson High School; Michael Kramer, Photo & Film Club, of Eisenhower High School; Maria Meade, of Henry Ford II High School

The Scholastic Arts Competition is a national program that honors the best in student-produced art.

Macomb Community College’s Lorenzo Cultural Center will feature these works Feb. 2 through Feb. 17. Macomb and the College for Creative Studies (CCS), Detroit, sponsor the regional competition.

Exhibit hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 – 4 p.m.; Monday and Tuesday by appointment.

Students who earn American Vision nominations and gold key honors will participate in the national Scholastic Arts competition in New York.

All awards earned by UCS students are:

Academic Painting Methods
Teacher: Christopher Brunson

• Heather Pezanowski in Painting for “Contemplation “ - Gold Key
• Ashley Waddell in Painting for “Self-Portrait (The Stages of Painting)“ - Silver Key

Stevenson High School
Teachers: Patricia Fields and Christina Dawson

• Steven Attisha in Photography for “Eclipse” - Silver Key
• Madison Cook in Photography for “Chapped” - Silver Key
• Alayna Currey in Photography for “Closer Than It May Appear” - Honorable Mention
• Sarah Flanigan in Ceramics & Glass for “Hidden Identity” - Silver Key
• Sarah Flanigan in Jewelry for “Interwoven” - Gold Key
• Sarah Flanigan in Mixed Media for “The Neighborhood”- Honorable Mention
• Sarah Flanigan in Sculpture for “Fish Out of Water” - Gold Key
• Sarah Flanigan in Sculpture for “On the Prowl” - Silver Key
• Ashley Krywy in Photography for “Sky Wheel” - Honorable Mention
• Rachel Magliulo in Photography for “Little Girl Lost” - Silver Key
• Delaney McDaniel in Photography for “Sister” - Honorable Mention
• Pilar Miranda in Photography for “Reflection of the Earth” - Honorable Mention
• Pilar Miranda in Photography for “Bright” - Honorable Mention
• Pilar Miranda in Photography for “Child of the Earth” - Silver Key
• Maranatha Zulueta in Photography for “A Hero Amongst Us” - Honorable Mention
• Maranatha Zulueta in Photography for “Yellow Submarine”- Honorable Mention
• Chantel El-Sayah in Photography for “Portrait #3” - Gold Key
• Emily Kotula in Photography for “Sunset” - Honorable Mention
• Delaney McDaniel in Drawing and Illustration for” Ryder” - Silver Key

Eisenhower High School
Teachers: Josephine Braun, Nancy Druia, Lisa Grunewald and Jennifer Rameriz

• Savannah Alexander in Film & Animation for “The Corner Movie” - Honorable Mention
• Amelia Paliewicz in Photography for “Adventure” - Honorable Mention
• Stanton Aspelund in Sculpture for “Bouledefeu” - Silver Key
• Zachary Didia in Sculpture for Irony - Honorable Mention
• Zachary Didia in Sculpture for “Branches” - Silver Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Reaching Destinations” - Gold Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Green with Envy” - Honorable Mention
• Emily Coletti in Photography for “Triangles” - Honorable Mention
• Brittany Gietzen in Photography for Beautiful Rust - Honorable Mention
• Jacqueline Hinkson in Painting for “Jillian Behind Bars” - Silver Key
• Robina Rranza in Photography for “In the Basement” - Gold Key
• Robina Rranza in Photography for “Motion” - Silver Key
• Robina Rranza in Photography fpr “Elisa” - Silver Key

Jeannette Junior High School
Teacher: Joseph Acker

• Slevia Alias in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Silver Key
• Jordan Babbie in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Gold Key
• Kaitlyn Boldt in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Silver Key
• Madalyn Czarski in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Gold Key
• Madalyn Czarski in Drawing and Illustration for “Tabby” - Gold Key
• Madalyn Czarski in Drawing and Illustration for “Poison” - Honorable Mention
• Claire Murray in Painting for “David” - Gold Key
• Gina Sapiano in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Gold Key
• Kimberly Schummer in Drawing and Illustration for “Interrupted” - Honorable Mention
• Kimberly Schummer in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Honorable Mention
• Matthew Tipton in Drawing and Illustration for “Self Portrait” - Gold Key

Henry Ford II High School
Teachers: Kristine Cooper, Joe Elliot, and Amy May

• Sarah Baniak in Painting for “Queen Bee” - Silver Key
• Kaitlyn Krozek in Drawing and Illustration for “Boots” - Silver Key
• Kaitlyn Neal in Painting for “Eva’s Portrait” - Silver Key
• Sarah Baniak in Photography for “All The Little Lights” - Silver Key
• Sarah Colpaert in Photography for “Rocking Chair” - Gold Key
• Todd Daniels II in Photography for “Blackened” - Honorable Mention
• Maria Meade in Film & Animation for “The Enlightenment” - Gold Key
• Maria Meade in Photography for “Shattered Sunset” - Gold Key
• Maria Meade in Photography for “Turntables of the Flipside”- Honorable Mention
• Hannah Randazzo in Photography for “Trajectory Unfathomability” - Honorable Mention
• Hannah Randazzo in Photography for “Translucent Fantasy” - Silver Key
• Stephanie Sroka in Photography for “First Light” - Honorable Mention
• Isaiah Terry in Film & Animation for “Insanium” - Silver Key
• Morgan Lessl in Drawing and Illustration for “Cooper” - Silver Key
• Kaitlyn Neal in Painting for “Harmonica” - Silver Key
• Jack Waller in Drawing and Illustration for “Mrs. Beasley” - Honorable Mention
• Jessica Wood in Drawing and Illustration for “Belle Vie” - Honorable Mention

Malow Junior High School
Teacher: Kristine Cooper

• Katerina Bastounis in Drawing and Illustration for “Zentangle Castle” - Honorable Mention
• Emma Budnick in Drawing and Illustration for “Lily” - Gold Key
• Giovanna DiMaria in Drawing and Illustration for “Vegas” - Honorable Mention
• Amanda Dowdican in Painting for “Radial Design Painting” - Silver Key
• Savannah Jodway in Painting for “Warm Colors Radial Design Painting” - Silver Key
• Lucy Kalaj in Printmaking for “Daisy” - Honorable Mention
• Emmalee Kramer in Drawing and Illustration for “Charcoal Drawing Of Maggie May” - Silver Key
• Peyton Michalski in Drawing and Illustration for “Castle In the Clouds” - Silver Key
• Emma Myny in Drawing and Illustration for “24” - Honorable Mention
• Emma Myny in Printmaking for “Skull Print” - Honorable Mention
• Megan Osentoski in Drawing and Illustration for “Charcoal Bella” - Silver Key
• Julia Pelini in Printmaking for “Sugar Skull” - Gold Key
• Natalia Pfeffer in Drawing and Illustration for “Elephantidae” -
• Silver Key
• Therese Reinhold in Photography for “Apples In A Bowl” - Honorable Mention
• Carson Riggs in Drawing and Illustration for “Turtle” - Gold Key

Photo and Film Club
Teacher: Lisa Grunewald

• Avy Cordero in Photography for “Paint the Sky” - Honorable Mention
• Avy Cordero in Photography for “Lightning” - Silver Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Playing Games” - Gold Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Innocent Bystanders” - Gold Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Angry” - Gold Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Peace” - Gold Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Purity” - Gold Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Purple” - Gold Key, American Visions Nominee
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Smoked” - Honorable Mention
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Darkness” - Honorable Mention
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Watched” - Silver Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Caught Red Handed” - Silver Key
• Michael Kramer in Photography for “Cracking Eggs and Cracking Jokes” - Silver Key

Shelby Junior High School
Teachers: Lisa Grunewald and Christopher Brunson

• Gabrielle Buscemi in Ceramics & Glass for “Bel Vaso Di Fiori” - Silver Key
• Krishna Cooney in Painting for “Nina” - Gold Key
• William Davis in Photography for “Evening Waves” - Honorable Mention
• Kristina Djelaj in Photography for “Lonely” - Silver Key
• Mariana Merandi in Sculpture for “Memory Holder” - Honorable Mention
• Niko Tavoularis in Ceramics & Glass for “Snake Pit” - Honorable Mention
• Annalise Trenkamp in Ceramics & Glass for “Minisaurus Rex” - Silver Key
• Randy Karana in Digital Art for “Art Pen” - Silver Key
• Morgan Aho in Film & Animation for “How animals are made”- Gold Key
• Kendall Avis in Photography for “Feather” - Honorable Mention
• Kendall Avis in Photography for “Fire” - Silver Key
• Angela Doncic in Digital Art for “Birthday Party” - Silver Key
• Angela Doncic in Photography for “Love” - Honorable Mention
• Stefanie Frontera in Photography for “Egg” - Gold Key
• Emma Heidrich in Photography for “Trapped” - Gold Key
• Emma Heidrich in Photography for “Invisible” - Honorable Mention
• Valentina Ioco in Photography for “Hidden” - Honorable Mention
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Washed Ashore” - Gold Key
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Exposed” - Gold Key
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Adventures” - Honorable Mention
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Alone” - Honorable Mention
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Deflation” - Honorable Mention
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Dark and Twisted” - Silver Key
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Deep Into Nowhere” - Silver Key
• Audrey Olszewski in Photography for “Exorcism” - Silver Key
• Brooklyn Schwentek in Film & Animation for “Color Splash” - Silver Key
• Keith Scrutchen in Photography for “Flips on the Beach” - Silver Key
• Brianna Smith in Digital Art for “little people” - Gold Key
• Brianna Smith in Photography for “Summer Nights” - Honorable Mention
• Brianna Smith in Photography for “Nolan” - Silver Key
• Allison Soffa in Film & Animation for “Courageous Clay” - Honorable Mention
• Annalise Trenkamp in Photography for “Peek-a-boo” - Gold Key
• Caroline VanDenBrouck in Photography for Floating Lantern - Gold Key
• Abby Wakefield in Photography for “Chicken Nuggets are Good” - Honorable Mention
• Rileigh Wardzinski in Photography for “Boardwalk” - Gold Key
• Abigail Wittwer in Digital Art for Mountain of Books - Honorable Mention
• Tessa Wygocki in Digital Art for “Diving into Color” - Honorable Mention
• Sophia Zotos in Photography for “Back And Forth” - Honorable Mention
• Sophia Zotos in Photography for “To be Continued...” - Honorable Mention
• Sophia Zotos in Photography for “Tip Toes” - Silver Key
• Gabriella Braun in Drawing and Illustration for “Movie Night” - Honorable Mention
• Gabriella Braun in Photography for “Soulful Series” - Gold Key
• Gabriella Braun in Photography for “Drowning in Sorrows” - Silver Key
• Cameron Cubitt in Photography for “Gameday” - Silver Key
• Tyler Farnsworth in Sculpture for “Mr. Frank” - Gold Key
• Rileigh Wardzinski in Digital Art for “Torture” - Silver Key
• Rileigh Wardzinski in Photography for “Playfulness” - Silver Key

Utica Center for Science and Industry
Teachers: Michael Allore and Megan Berry

• Meagan Zablocki in Photography for “Urban Reflections” - Honorable Mention
• Meagan Zablocki in Photography for “Restricted” - Silver Key
• Mariah Abro Oram in Photography for “Digital Photograph With Minimal Editing In Photoshop” - Honorable Mention
• Julia Felts in Photography for “Winding Road” - Honorable Mention
• Julia Felts in Photography for “Pages” - Silver Key
• Lauren Johnson in Photography for “Window Watching” - Honorable Mention
• Morgan Plummer in Photography for “Volcanic” - Honorable Mention
• Lindsey Serrano in Photography for “Up Close And Personal” - Honorable Mention
• Cole Troia in Photography for “Posted” - Honorable Mention

Utica High School
Teachers: Jennifer Allore and Joshua Etheridge

• Cameron Avis in Drawing and Illustration for “Naples Sunset” - Gold Key
• Carlie Gibson in Mixed Media for “Carlie and Joe” - Gold Key, American Visions Nominee
• Carlie Gibson in Painting for “Carl and Carl” - Gold Key
• Shalenah Ivey in Drawing and Illustration for “Blue Shoe Galaxy” - Gold Key
• Samantha Korber of Drawing and Illustration for “Contrary to Hannah” - Honorary Mention
• Sabina Liskey of Drawing and Illustration for “Finding Your Marbles” - Silver Key
• Ashley Waddell in Painting for “Little Wagon” - Honorable Mention
• Olivia Whicker in Digital Art for “Resplendency” - Silver Key
• Olivia Whicker in Drawing and Illustration for “Model Status” - Honorable Mention
• Haley Abbatoy in Photography for “Serenity” -Silver Key
• Lancer Casem in Photography for “The Far Side “ - Gold Key
• Lancer Casem in Photography for “Ragged Stare” - Honorable Mention
• Noah Chapman in Photography for “My Spidey Sense is Tingling” - Gold Key
• Tyler Franklin in Photography for “Ghost” - Silver Key
• Tyler Franklin in Photography for “Wonderland” - Silver Key
• Anna Hoffman in Photography for “Perfectionist” - Honorable Mention
• Anna Hoffman in Photography for “Jacob” - Silver Key
• Alexa Kessen in Photography for “Power In The D” - Gold Key
• Samantha Korber in Photography for “Release” - Gold Key
• Samantha Korber in Photography for “Solitude” - Gold Key
• Samantha Korber in Photography for “Ruined” - Silver Key
• Joseph Lico in Photography for “Along the Country Rails” - Honorable Mention
• Joseph Lico in Photography for “Armed and Ready” - Silver Key
• Rachael Mooney in Digital Art for “Me, Myself and I” - Honorable Mention
• Rachael Mooney in Photography for “Leaf of a Different Color” - Gold Key
• Rachael Mooney in Photography for “The Journey Ahead” - Honorable Mention
• Rachael Mooney in Photography for “Made in USA” - Silver Key
• Brandon Pullman in Photography for “Father like Son” - Gold Key
• Olivia Rickert in Photography for “Dew Droplets at Dawn” - Honorable Mention
• Olivia Rickert in Photography for “Stony Creek Sunset” - Honorable Mention
• Toby Serrano in Photography for “Leaf” - Honorable Mention
• Kaitlynn Shelton in Photography for “Graduation” - Honorable Mention
• Kaitlynn Shelton in Photography in Photography for “Innocence” - Honorable Mention