J-DHS Clean House at the Scholastic Art Awards

The creative students at Jamesville-DeWitt High School won 67 awards this year at the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. More than 100 works of art from J-DHS were submitted to the show in January. J-DHS has yet again distinguished itself from other schools in the Central New York area this year.

"We did very well," says drawing and painting teacher Carl Wenzel. "The quality of the work got better through the years," he said.

Drawing and painting teacher Carlos Benedict summed up how he felt the growing artists did this year in one word: "okay." "Last year was stronger," says ceramics and photography teacher Steve Pilcher. Photography teacher Lisa Troubetaris doesn't want to sound harsh about the students' work, but she had hoped that the students would do better than they did. "While I wish there were more awards, their work was very good," says Mr. Wenzel.

"I don't go around and count, but this year I think there were a few less golds," says Ms. Troubetaris. Last year, J-DHS students received 21 Gold Keys, but only 15 this year.

Each art teacher around the country is able to submit up to 15 of their students' individual pieces and an unlimited number of portfolios to Scholastic. The pieces then go through intense evaluations to determine which ones will earn awards.
Many times the decision of which pieces should be entered is not easy for J-DHS art teachers. "I feel bad for people. [But] if I don't choose them, it doesn't mean their work is bad," says Ms. Troubetaris. "Sometimes it's uncomfortable, but you've got to look at all the pieces and pick the best to represent JD," says Mr. Wenzel.

However, for some the choice is not so terrible. "I'm fine with it because that's the way it is," said Mr. Benedict. "Decisions have to be made, and sometimes you have to cut people out," he said. Mr. Pilcher thinks that students aren't producing the quality of work that they used to. He said that it's not difficult to determine the pieces that should be entered because the best always stands out. However, Mr. Pilcher jokes that "those students who pay me with good food [get chosen]."

In previous years, J-DHS art students have proven to be superior over other area schools. However, Fayetteville-Manlius High School has emerged victorious in this year's art rivalry. In fact, F-MHS's 1,588 students received 120 awards. Out of J-DHS's 953 students, 67 pieces received awards.

"I'm just happy and glad that I got in, but sad because this is my last year," says senior Sarah Meile, who won a silver key for her ceramics piece.

Despite the slight shortfall of awards, there's hope for next year. "I'm always proud of the kids," says Mr. Wenzel.

*If you would like to see a complete list of J-DHS award winners, please see below.

Gold Key, Fine Arts Portfolio: Catherine Daly, Elisa Iribarne, Rachel Leaderach, Stella Min, Linsay Royer, Cary Slisz, Rachel Smith, Amanda Tan.

Honorable Mention, Fine Arts Portfolio: Suzanne Blackley, Alexandra Decker, Rachel Fagut, Hannah Redmond, Mia Zhang.

Gold Key, Photography Portfolio: Leylan Akyuz.

Honorable Mention, Photography Portfolio: Dylan Lobdell, Emma Pusey.

Gold Key: Alison Berson, Drawing; Maya Champion, Drawing; Catherine Daly, Drawing; Rachel Leaderach, Drawing; Linsay Royer, Painting; Rachel Smith, Painting.

Silver Key: Suzanne Blackley, Drawing; Kara Capstraw, Drawing; Rachel Fagut, Drawing; Margaret Fuller, Drawing; Jacob Gorke, two paintings and a drawing; Derek Horn, Drawing; Bumkoth Jiak, Painting; Caroline Jones, Drawing; Brianna May, Drawing; Sarah Meile, Ceramics & Glass; Stella Min, Drawing (two pieces); Emily Nuss, Drawing; Hannah Redmond, Drawing; Dan Rothman, Film & Animation; Daniel Schoenck, Film & Animation; Shea Turney, Ceramics & Glass; Michaelle Williams, Drawing; Mason Schoeneck, Film & Animation; Ben Wright, Film & Animation; Sally Zheng, Drawing.

Honorable Mention: Leylan Akyuz, Corey Almanzi, Josh Ambrose, Suzanne Blackley, Rachel Boll, Mackenzie Brayman, Max DeVesty, Sarah Gianni, Jackie Halpin, Derek Horn, Nicole Huerta, Elisa Iribarne, Stella Min, Hannah Redmond, Allison Roth, Kerry Ryan, Daniel Schoeneck, Madeline Seely, Kristina Sinistin, Amanda Tan (two pieces), Shea Turney.