District 99 Students Win 185 Scholastic Art Awards

Submitted by Community High School District 99.
Photos: The photograph “Diluted” by DGS Student Emma Hansen (1) and digital artwork “Hansel and Gretel” by DGS Student Besiana Useni (2) each received a nomination for an American Vision Award.

District 99 student artists claimed 185 awards at the 2015 Scholastic Art competition held in January. North High School hosted the event, which was organized by the Suburban Chicago Art Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

These pieces, and all the award winning pieces from the entire regions, will be unveiled at the Opening Reception on Sunday, February 8, 2015 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the auditorium foyer at Downers Grove North High, located at 4436 Main Street in Downers Grove. The public is welcome to attend. The works will continue in exhibit for one week following the opening reception.

Over 1,000 student artists from 33 area high schools submitted 2,836 works of art for adjudication. South High students Emma Hansen and Besiana Useni both received an American Vision award, which is considered the “Best of Show” by the judging panel. Only five pieces from the entire region are selected for this prestigious honor. In addition, 65 students received Golden Key awards, 60 received Silver Key awards and 58 received Honorable Mentions.

“We are exceedingly proud of both the process followed by our student artists, and, of the products they all create.” said Glenn Williams, fine arts department chairman at South High. “Scholastic Art Awards represent a high point of artistic achievement for a high school visual artist.”

“We are very excited to host the regional exhibition at North High,” said Brayer Teague, fine arts department chairman. “This show is always an amazing display of student creativity and a testament to the wonderful art teaching that is happening in District 99.”

According to Teague, the art teachers from both North High and South High play an important role in putting the exhibition together. “Our District 99 art teachers are the engine behind this regional affiliate of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Their dedication and tireless commitment enables student artists from all over the suburban region to have their work evaluated by professional artists.”

Gold Key winners will advance to the national competition in New York; national winners will be announced in March. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which date back to 1923, are an important opportunity for students to be recognized for their creative talents.

NORTH HIGH WINNERS

Gold Key Awards

Anayexi Angeles (Ceramics & Glass)

Izabela Christopher (Ceramics & Glass)

Isabella Cotterell (Ceramics & Glass)

Briana Gastaldello (Photography)

Andra Jankauskaite (Photography) – 2 Gold Keys

Tyler Kral (Photography)

Taylor Laughlin (Painting)

Stacy Mandujano (Ceramics & Glass)

Natalia Marra (Comic Art)

Jessica Novotny (Photography)

Lauren Phegley (Photography)

Lauren Porcelli (Jewelry)

Brooke Pryor (Digital Art)

Livija Rainyte (Painting / Digital Art) – 3 Gold Keys

Aubrey Saha (Drawing and Illustration)

Rachel Schubert (Ceramics & Glass) – 2 Gold Keys

Andie Sherman (Photography)

Karolina Silinyte (Photography)

Alyssa Spikes (Ceramics & Glass)

Emma Wilson (Drawing and Illustration)

Silver Key Awards

Max Baltrus (Ceramics & Glass)

Audrey Bican (Ceramics & Glass)

Evie Brindl (Digital Art)

Ashley Cockrill (Digital Art)

Emma Dionne (Drawing and Illustration) – 2 Silver Keys

Elizabeth Eboli (Ceramics & Glass)

Briana Gastaldello (Photography)

Claudia Hernandez (Mixed Media)

Katie Lauder (Digital Art)

Megan Masciopinto (Ceramics & Glass)

Chloe Mason (Photography)

Kayelee Newstrom (Drawing and Illustration)

Jessica Novotny (Photography)

Annie Panico (Photography)

Sarah Patrick (Photography) – 2 Silver Keys

Livija Rainyte (Ceramics & Glass / Painting) – 2 Silver Keys

Aubrey Saha (Drawing and Illustration)

Skye Schlottman (Digital Art)

Montana Serafin (Photography)

Bridget Shatkus (Ceramics & Glass)

Andie Sherman (Photography / Art Portfolio) – 2 Silver Keys

Justin Slyteris (Jewelry)

Alyssa Spikes (Ceramics & Glass)

Patrycja Suliba (Photography)

Kathryn Vaden (Jewelry)

Emma Wilson (Digital Art)

Honorable Mention Awards

Bree Arend (Photography)

Maeve Craven (Ceramics & Glass)

Olivia Di Lorio (Ceramics & Glass)

Hailey DiCristina (Ceramics & Glass)

Haley Ferrini (Digital Art)

Grace Furstenau (Photography)

Rose Halper (Jewelry)

Sarah Heinz (Photography)

Louie Ilagan (Ceramics & Glass)

Michael Marconi (Ceramics & Glass)

Margaret Michaels (Drawing and Illustration)

Amanda Micus (Photography) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Allison Padovani (Jewelry)

Sara Prochaska (Ceramics & Glass)

Livija Rainyte (Drawing & Illustration / Painting) – 5 Honorable Mentions

Stephanie Santamaria (Ceramics & Glass)

Nicole Sawdo (Jewelry)

Tony Sherifi (Photography)

Andie Sherman (Photography) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Alyssa Spikes (Ceramics & Glass)

Kerigan Stadtler (Photography)

Audrey Staron (Drawing and Illustration)

Callie Thomas (Photography)

Amber Truby (Sculpture)

Emma Wilson (Digital Art)

SOUTH HIGH WINNERS

American Vision Award Nominees

Emma Hansen (Photography) Diluted

Besiana Useni (Digital Media) Hansel and Gretel

Gold Key Awards

Isabella Aguirre (Photography)

Katrina Behrens (Ceramics and Glass)

Emma Hansen (5 Photography, Painting, Art Portfolio)

Micki Harris (Painting)

Kailey Holzman (Art Portfolio, Digital Art)

Allessandra Lane (Digital Art)

Tylie Loya (Design)
Juliette Moushon (Digital Art)

Crystal Panganiban (Art Portfolio, Photography)

Claire Pikul (4 Photography)

Allison Quinn (2 Drawing and Illustration)

Jose Sanchez (Digital Art, Photography, Art Portfolio)

Courtney Scott (Photography)

Jennifer Shi (Drawing and Illustration, Mixed Media, Painting, Art Portfolio)

Jasmine Smith (Photography)

Besiana Useni (Art Portfolio, 2 Digital Art)

Hannah Wood (Art Portfolio, Photography, Digital Art)

Nicole Wroblewski (Art Portfolio, 2 Drawing and Illustration, Painting)

Silver Key Awards

Khrystyna Bonkovska (Drawing and Illustration)

Marisa Carioscia (Ceramics and Glass)

Jocelyn Danalewich (Painting)

Autumn Ganahl (Drawing and Illustration)

Kailey Holzman (Digital Art, Photography)

Kaitlyn Hong (Painting)

Natalie Hutchison (Photography)

Gladys Jacob (Drawing and Illustration)

Briana Kesterson (Photography)

Rachel Kubik (Drawing and Illustration)

Julia Lucadello (Design)

Isabella Marzari (Design)
Allison McKenney (Drawing and Illustration)

Marissa Medina (Photography)

Crystal Panganiban (Photography)

Claire Pikul (Photography)

Alysse Potts (Painting)

Hannah Rossi (Ceramics and Glass)

Olivia Russo (Ceramics and Glass)

Jose Sanchez (Digital Art, Photography)

Courtney Scott (Photography)

Jennifer Shi (Drawing and Illustration)

Besiana Useni (Digital Art)

Hannah Wood (Art Portfolio, Digital Art)

Nicole Wroblewski (Painting, Drawing and Illustration)

Calla Zarek (Ceramics)

Honorable Mention Awards

Allison Adams (Drawing and Illustration)

Rob Batten (Mixed Media, Painting)

Khrystyna Bonkovska (Drawing and Illustration)

Jaedrian Dade (Ceramics and Glass)

Michaela Hackbarth (Design)

Emma Hansen (Ceramics and Glass)

Micki Harris (2 Painting)

Kailey Holzman (Art Portfolio, Digital Art)

Alessandra Lane (Photography)

Joshua Lily (Drawing and Illustration)

Crystal Panganiban (Photography)

Claire Pikul (Photography)

Bridget Plante (Photography)

Allison Quinn (Painting)

Richie Ray (Sculpture)

Elizabeth Restrespo (Photography)

Jose Sanchez (Digital Art)

Jennifer Shi (2 Painting)

Besiana Useni (2 Digital Art)

Hannah Wood (Digital Art)

Nicole Wroblewski (2 Drawing and Illustration)