High School Students Across Washington Honored in State Superintendent’s Art Show

Now in its 51st year, the annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show honors the work of high school students across the state. Today, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) celebrated these students and their creative accomplishments.

This year’s award recipients represent every region of Washington, from Port Townsend to Richland to Spokane. Students were honored during a virtual ceremony that was hosted by two fellow student artists: Mera Foster, an 11th grader at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, and Yolanda Jiang, a 12th grader at Bellevue Senior High School in Bellevue.

“Every year, I am blown away by the creativity and insight displayed in our students’ artwork,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “Their art shows deep and meaningful connections to friends and family, communities and cultures, and the world we live in. It is an honor to recognize our students and their incredible accomplishments.”

In addition to recognizing achievement in the visual arts, the Art Show also featured live musical performances from Evergreen High School’s Chamber String Ensemble and Mount Vernon High School’s Mariachi Band. The Yakima School District also presented an excerpt from a musical performed by students at Davis High School, and the Squaxin Island Tribe shared a video project collaboratively created with Tribal youth. OSPI’s Office of Native Education provided funding to support the video project.  

The process for recognition at the Superintendent’s High School Art Show begins in classrooms across Washington. Students submit their artwork to the nine regional educational service districts (ESDs) for judging and awarding. The artworks that earn regional awards are then sent on for statewide recognition.

Art Show Award Winners

• Superintendent’s Award: “Nature’s Hand” by Mia Ressa, Lewis and Clark High School (Teacher: Chad Brazill), Spokane Public Schools, ESD 101
• Governor’s Award: “Recycled Ocean” by Lexi Ann Vargas, Pateros High School (Teacher: Todd Steenhard), Pateros School District, ESD 171
• OSPI Staff Award: “Junewood” by Oliver Flynn, Olympic High School (Teacher: Andrea Beck), Central Kitsap School District, ESD 114
• Juror’s Award: “Color Me Happy” by Brooke Smith, Richland High School (Teacher: Brock Sadler), Richland School District, ESD 123
• Juror’s Award: “Bond Between Generations” by Sydney Chrisopulus, Columbia River High School (Teacher: Jason Phelps), Vancouver Public Schools, ESD 112
  

  

• Juror’s Award: “Beyond the Surface” by Rachel Han, Newport High School (Teacher: Jennifer Bitter), Bellevue School District, ESD 121
• ArtsEd Washington Award: “OXXO” by Yoselin Sanchez, Kelso High School (Teacher: TJ Frey), Kelso School District, ESD 112
• Centrum Award: “Directions” by Luca Campbell, Port Townsend High School (Teacher: David Egeler), Port Townsend School District, ESD 114
• Association of Washington School Principals Award: “Tuesday 7:23 AM” by Leilani Cherry, Timberline High School (Teacher: Katy Govan), North Thurston Public Schools, ESD 113
• Inspire Washington Award: “Placed on a Pedestal” by Claira Tuning, Goldendale High School (Teacher: Scott Gray), Goldendale School District, ESD 105
• Professional Educator Standards Board Award: “Massacre at School” by Katie Conn, Mead Senior High School (Teacher: Jenne Hatcher), Mead School District, ESD 101
• State Board of Education Award: “Memory Locket” by Chinmayee Kuntulu, Olympia High School (Teacher: Joshua Everson), Olympia School District, ESD 113
• Washington State Parent-Teacher Association Award: “Ramen Bowl” by Thuan Trung, Meadowdale High School (Teacher: Samanth Tesch), Edmonds School District, ESD 189
• Washington Art Education Association Award: “Obsessions” by Lily Grace Cavanaugh, Tahoma Senior High School (Teacher: Kara Oxner), Tahoma School District, ESD 121
• Washington Association of School Administrators Award: “Natsu no Owari” by Vanessa Cisco, Oak Harbor High School (Teacher: Kit Christopherson), Oak Harbor School District, ESD 189
• Washington Education Association Award: “Unforgettable Gift” by Sophee Marvin, River Homelink (Teacher: Becky Broyles), Battle Ground School District, ESD 112
• Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Award: “Up Close and Personal” by Leslie Badillo, Davis High School (Teacher: Carole Huls), Yakima School District, ESD 105
• Washington State School Directors' Association Award: “Janitor” by McKaye Morrill, Snohomish High School (Teacher: Jay Adams), Snohomish School District, ESD 189
  

  

• Central Washington University Art for Change Award: “Morning Bus Ride” by Savannah Hamilton, Cashmere High School (Teacher: Alan Pace), Cashmere School District, ESD 171
• Central Washington University Art for Change Award: “Garden of Love” by Lena Olsen, Three Rivers Homelink (Teacher: Jessica Jones), Richland School District, ESD 123
• Youth Art Month Flag Award: “Sleepless Dreams in Seattle Space Needle” by Eileen Moon, Inglewood Middle School (Teacher: Sunyoung Kwon), Lake Washington School District, ESD 121

In recognition of their excellence, each student awarded receives $200, a trophy, and an OSPI Certificate of Recognition. The two winners of Central Washington University’s Art for Change award also receive $2,000 scholarships.

Honorable Mention Award Recipients

• “Rylie” by Rylie Bayes, Goldendale High School (Teacher: Scott Gray), Goldendale School District, ESD 105
• “Gills in Color” by Ruby Kosky, Wenatchee High School (Teacher: Russ Rummler), Wenatchee School District, ESD 171
• “Denim Debut” by Kimberly Strong, Cashmere High School (Teacher: Alan Pace), Cashmere School District, ESD 171
• “Onward” by Lana Saopraseuth, Union High School (Teacher: Sean Morrison), Evergreen Public Schools, ESD 112
• “Family Portrait” by Laura Wang, Camas High School (Teacher: Heidi Keith), Camas School District, ESD 112
• “Nostalgia” by Sicilia Finley, Mead Senior High School (Teacher: Nicolette Banger), Mead School District, ESD 101

Jurors’ Choice and Honorable Mention awards were selected by a panel of three jurors who are professional artists, teaching artists, and arts educators from across the state. Students who earn Honorable Mentions receive an OSPI Certificate of Recognition.

For More Information

• View the online art gallery
• Watch the show on YouTube