Junior Alexandra Madar received two Honorable Mentions, a Silver Key, two Gold Keys, and The American Vision Award. Photo Credits: THEA CHESNEY
BY ALEXANRA MADAR
On Saturday, Jan. 29 2011, eight Cooper City High School students received prestigious awards at The Scholastic Art and Writing Award ceremony, which was held at American Heritage high school.
This ceremony took place for Broward County students to show off their art and for five contestants to move on to the next level of judging in New York City. Artists such as Andy Warhol and Richard Avidon entered their pieces into the The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards before they became famous artists.
Deborah Brock, the regional director for the Broward Region of the Scholastic Art Competition, presided over the ceremony.
Before being qualified as contestants, students submitted their art pieces online to be evaluated. CCHS’ very own art teacher, Katherine Sharp, strongly encouraged her first period students to submit their work.
344 students from the Broward County region submitted 787 pieces. Out of those, 482 pieces were chosen for the competition, the largest amount the region has ever had. Professionals in the visual and literary arts reviewed the works, judging on originality, technical skill and emergence.
Out of the works chosen, 16 were from Sharp’s art class.
The awards given out included honorable mention, a silver key, a gold key and the highest award of them all, The American Vision Nomination.
The American Vision Award is the ‘Best in Show’ piece for each region. For the contestants who receive this award, their work moves on to New York City to compete in a National Award Ceremony held at Carnegie Hall.
Out of only five American Vision Nominations, two of them were awarded to CCHS juniors Kaylee Oberfield and Alexandra Madar for photography.
“When they called out my name and showed my piece on the screen, I was in such shock,” Oberfield said.
Junior Kaylee Oberfield received a Gold Key and The American Vision Award.
The five award winners stood in front of the stage as the entire audience cheered them on, including a very proud Sharp.
“I was so proud to see them jump up and walk up to the stage to receive their awards,” Sharp said. “Now, we’ll just have to see what happens in New York.”
After the ceremony, American Heritage hosted a gallery opening to display all of the student’s works.
“I felt like a famous photographer; it was amazing,” Oberfield said.
With parents, friends, and teacher by their side, these talented CCHS students definitely had smiles on their faces knowing how lucky they were to be recognized.
“I loved when my dad took a picture of it to send to everyone,” junior Lauren Troncoso said, “The greatest feeling sometimes is knowing you make someone you love proud.”
The results of the competition were as followed:
Junior Jenna Schofel received an Honorable Mention.
Junior Amanda Rio received an Honorable Mention and a Gold Key.
Junior Lauren Troncoso received a Silver Key.
Junior Kaylee Oberfield received a Gold Key and The American Vision Award.
Junior Alexandra Madar received two Honorable Mentions, a Silver Key, two Gold Keys, and The American Vision Award.
Senior Daniel Diaz received an Honorable Mention and two Gold Keys.
Senior Nicole Morgan received an Honorable Mention.
Senior Thea Chesney received an Honorable Mention and a Silver Key.
Senior Thea Chesney received an Honorable Mention and a Silver Key.
