Stamford Students Earn 2025 Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Public Schools has announced five high school students have been recognized by the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards program for their outstanding artwork.

The following students were recognized:

Stamford High School

Silver Key Award

• Rylie Haynes, 10th grade, film and animation
• Abigail Loayza, 12th grade, painting. Teacher: Timothy Eaton-Koch

Honorable Mention

• Abigail Loayza, 12h grade, painting. Teacher: Kimberly DeBiase-Wheeler.

Westhill High School

Silver Key Award

• Adilene Pulido, 12th grade, jewelry. Teacher: Kenneth Martin

Honorable Mention

• Melissa Berganza, 11th grade, mixed media. Teacher: Robin Konrad
• Keyli Carrillo, 12th grade, jewelry. Teacher: Kenneth Martin.

The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards program is a nonprofit, all-volunteer activity recognizing the best student artwork throughout the state. The program, which is juried by professional artists and university art faculty, is open to all Connecticut students in grades 7-12.

Winning student artwork will be on display through Jan. 31 as part of the Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition Show at the Hartford Art School Silpe Gallery. The exhibition is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition to having their artwork included in the Awards Art Show Exhibit, the student artists will be recognized during an event at the University of Hartford Lincoln Theater on Sunday, Jan. 26.

"The Stamford Public Schools High School Visual Arts Program emphasizes the elements and principles of art and design and helps students develop an understanding of art, art production, cultural diversity, art history, and creative problem-solving," the school district said in a news release.

SPS says it offers nearly 100 sections of high school visual art courses annually across its three high schools, including animation, art history, ceramics, color and design, computer graphic art and design, drawing and painting, Adobe Illustrator, jewelry and metalsmithing, mixed media, photography, Adobe Photoshop, potters wheel, printmaking, sculpture, and studio art 3D.

Stamford high school students also have opportunities to pursue college-level visual arts coursework through the Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and UConn Early College Experience programs.

Robin Konrad is an art teacher and department head for visual and performing arts at Westhill High School as well as the SPS K-12 content leader for visual arts.