Students win scholastic art awards

Sisters middle and high school art students submitted work in the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (SAWA) and took home a total of 31 awards.

The awards offer students the opportunity to be recognized for their creative talents. Students in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 28 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. There were more than 500 entries in the various categories.

Regional awards include Gold Key, the highest level of achievement on the regional level. Around seven to 10 percent of all regional submissions are recognized with Gold Key awards and all are considered for national-level recognition. The Silver Key awards are received by 10 to 15 percent of all regional submissions. The Honorable Mention awards recognize students with artistic potential. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of all regional submissions receive Honorable Mention Awards.

According to Pat Roberts, Pilot Butte Middle School teacher and the coordinator for Central Oregon's entries, there were close to 300 Central Oregon students who registered for the competition. Those students entered 465 art pieces which were judged by 11 art professionals at Central Oregon Community College (COCC).

Sisters Middle School teacher Carolyn Platt was pleased with her students' performance.

"I'm very impressed with what they can do when they put their minds to it," she said before attending the awards ceremony Saturday at COCC.

Five middle school students won awards in the juried regional competition. Logan Miller won the Gold Key for his sculpture, "Large Rodent." Maddie Abajay won a Silver Key award for her piece, entitled "Stiletto." Three students placed in the Honorable Mention category: Artem Biggers with "Alien Friend," Jake Larson with "Jumble of Shoes," and Halston Sellentin for "Hippo Soup."

At the high school level, top awards went to senior Maclayne Diener who was awarded a $500 scholarship for an Outstanding Senior as well as a Gold Key award. Bert Isle, a junior at Sisters High School, was one of five to win the American Vision Award for a pendant entitled "You Hold my Heart." She also was a Gold Key winner.

This is the fourth year that Central Oregon students have competed in the contest. Every year students do very well, and according to high school teacher Bethany Gunnarson, "They love to participate!"

Many students enter in a variety of categories and win awards in more than one category. The artwork will be on display through February 2 at COCC, in the Pinckney Center art gallery from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Other Gold Key winners include: William Cyrus, Haley Hedren, Erica Lowry, Mckenzie Mitchell, Britney Simundson and Becky Thomas. Silver Key winners include: Hailey Brink, Haley Hedren, Brian Hensen, Elise Herron, Jared Kaping, Erica Lowry and Britney Simundson. Honorable Mention awards include: Hailey Brink, Justine Bruguier, Andrew Corrigan, William Cyrus, Haley Hedren, Jared Kaping, Christina Kokesh-Carhart, Katelyn Meeter, Michaela Meeter, Crystal Reifschneider and Becky Thomas.

Gold Key winners go on to national judging, and if they win a gold at the nationals they will be invited to Carnegie Hall.