Washington High School Artists Earn Statewide Honors at 50th Annual Art Show
OLYMPIA — May 30, 2023 — Every year, high school artists across Washington state create works of art that showcase their creativity and skill. Today, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) honored some of this work at the annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Award recipients hail from all parts of Washington state, from San Juan Island to Cashmere to Yakima. The show was hosted by musical curator Joe Williams and Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Sah Pham at Benaroya Hall in Seattle and streamed on social media by OSPI.
“The art produced by our students each year provides a window into what’s going on in their lives and in our world,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “It’s an immense honor to participate in recognizing 50 years of this powerful celebration.”
Along with honoring the visual arts, the Art Show also featured musical performances by students from Ballard High School and Walla Walla High School, and a dance performance by the Extended Day Dance Ensemble at the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics. Hanford High School presented a trailer of a student documentary, and the Kent-Meridian High School drama club also presented an excerpt from their film, “Unstable Connection,” a musical about students learning during the pandemic.
The Superintendent’s High School Art Show is the culmination of a process that begins in classrooms across the state. Student artwork is first sent to the nine regional educational service districts (ESDs) for judging and awarding. The artworks that earn regional recognition are then sent on for statewide recognition.
Art Show Award Winners
- Superintendent’s Award: “Cartoons” by Elizabeth Park, Issaquah High School (Teacher: Nicole Newton), Issaquah School District (SD), ESD 121
- Governor’s Award: “Breathe” by Hyojeong Jeong, Anacortes High School (Teacher: Carl Dellutri), Anacortes SD, ESD 189
- OSPI Staff Award: “A Cold Night” by Kate Kinnison, Richland High School (Teacher: Brock Sadler), Richland SD, ESD 123
- Juror’s Award: “Coffee Cup” by Cole Newcomer, South Kitsap High School (Teacher: Joshua Disney), South Kitsap SD, ESD 114
- Juror’s Award: “Willow” by Margot Massey, Kamiakin High School (Teacher: Corrine Lechelt), Kennewick SD, ESD 123
- Juror’s Award: “Quicksilver” by Jason Tran, Kelso High School (Teacher: T.J. Frey), Kelso SD, ESD 112
- Juror’s Award: “Looking for a Mirror” by Loralai Finnegan, Timberline High School (Teacher: Katy Govan), North Thurston Public Schools (PS), ESD 113
- Juror’s Award: “Last Candle” by Lesli Badillo, A.C. Davis High School (Teacher: Carole Huls), Yakima SD, ESD 105
- ArtsEd Washington Award: “Serenity” by Rachel Jang, Bellevue High School (Teacher: Hannah Yale), Bellevue SD, ESD 121
- Association of Washington School Principals Award: “Book Love” by Savannah Anderson, Tumwater High School (Teacher: Traci McGowan), Tumwater SD, ESD 113
- Inspire Washington Award: “sHE’s A REBEL” by Taryn McKay, Kelso High School (Teacher: T.J. Frey), Kelso SD, ESD 112
- Professional Educators Standards Board Award: “The Beauty of Birds and Light” by Annaka Hansen, West Valley High School (Teacher: Rose Honey), West Valley SD, ESD 101
- Public School Employees of Washington Award: “Fem Masc” by Amelia Andraschko, Ridgefield High School (Teacher: Shelle House), Ridgefield SD, ESD 112
- Washington State Parent-Teacher Association Award: “Broken” by Larissa Mauldin, Friday Harbor High School (Teacher: Andrew Anderson), San Juan Island SD, ESD 189
- Youth Art Month Flag Award: “Your Art, Your Voice” by Annika Brock, Enumclaw High School (Teacher: Connie Aigner), Enumclaw SD, ESD 121
- Washington Association of School Administrators Award: “Under the Stars” by Leila Chavez, Olympia High School (Teacher: Josh Everson), Olympia SD, ESD 113
- Washington Education Association Award: “Life in Line” by Mia Sanchez, Grandview High School (Teacher: Kimberley Hall), Grandview SD, ESD 105
- Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Award: “Jackie Robinson 42” by Moose Kinsey, Orcas Island High School (Teacher: Corey Wiscomb), Orcas Island SD, ESD 189
- State Board of Education Award: “American Gothic” by Emily Morales, A.C. Davis High School (Teacher: Carole Huls), Yakima SD, ESD 105
- Washington State School Directors Association Award: “Resonance” by Emily Erickson, Richland High School (Teacher: Brock Sadler), Richland SD, ESD 123
- Washington Art Education Association Award: “Grandpa” by Madeline Haydu, Olympic High School (Teacher: Andrea Beck), Central Kitsap SD, ESD 114
- Central Washington University Art for Change Award: Savannah Memmott, Kamiakin High School, Kennewick SD, ESD 123
- Central Washington University Art for Change Award: Loralai Finnegan, Timberline High School, North Thurston PS, ESD 113
In recognition of their excellence, each award recipient receives $200 and a trophy. The two winners of Central Washington University’s Art for Change awards also receive $2,000 scholarships.
Art Show Honorable Mention Award Recipients
- “O.B.E.D.” by Aztlan Oropeza-Garcia, Cashmere High School (Teacher: Alan Pace), Cashmere SD, ESD 171
- “Descend” by Savannah Memmott, Kamiakin High School (Teacher: Leah Kennedy), Kennwick SD, ESD 123
- “Terminal to Nowhere” by Liam Kennedy, Lynnwood High School (Teacher: Donna Schou), Edmonds SD, ESD 189
- “Kids These Days” by Remy Pack, Olympia High School (Teacher: Josh Everson), Olympia SD, ESD 113
- “Vicious Cycles” by Zoe Sherman, Ridgeline High School (Teacher: Jackie Roberts), Central Valley SD, ESD 101
- “Definitions” by Jayden Anderson, Cashmere High School (Teacher: Alan Pace), Cashmere SD, ESD 171
Jurors’ Choice and Honorable Mention awards were selected by a panel of 3 jurors from across the state who are professional artists, teaching artists, and arts educators. Students who earn Honorable Mentions receive an Art Show keychain and an award certificate.
