Student artists from Consolidated High School District 230 earned top honors this season, standing out among hundreds of submissions in two prestigious regional competitions.
Students from Stagg, Sandburg and Andrew high schools were recognized in the Regional Scholastic Art Awards and at the Southwest Suburban Conference Art Festival, where their work was evaluated alongside pieces from dozens of area high schools.
The Regional Scholastic Art Awards are among the nation’s longest-running and most respected programs for creative teens. Jurors select works that reflect the competition’s core values of originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice. Winning pieces are those that present authentic perspectives and rise above classroom assignments or social media trends.
At the Southwest Suburban Conference Art Festival, students participated in an exhibition, interactive workshops and sessions with professional guest artists. The festival’s Best of School award is presented to the single most outstanding work from each participating school, based on technical ability, creativity and the strength of the student’s artistic voice.
At Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, senior Yaxanie Salas earned the SWSC Best of School award for the digital media piece “Bingo Boo.”
Carl Sandburg High School senior Emmerson Karris received the SWSC Best of School honor for the ceramics piece “Permanent One.”
At Victor J. Andrew High School, junior Danya Zastawny was named SWSC Best of School for the ceramics work “Dia De Los Muertos,” and senior Ashley Napierkowski earned the SWSC Visionary Award for the mixed media piece “Snowcone Slopes.”
Several District 230 students also received recognition in the Regional Scholastic Art Awards.
Sandburg junior Olivia Piwowarczyk earned a Silver Key for the mixed media work “Deep Dive,” and junior Lina Sabbahi received a Silver Key for the photograph “Now I Know.”
From Andrew High School, junior Meka Leach received an Honorable Mention for the mixed media piece “Fragmented Reflection,” and senior Allyson Jeziorski earned an Honorable Mention for the digital painting, drawing and collage work “Beautiful Waterfall.”
District officials said the awards reflect not only the students’ technical abilities but also their willingness to experiment, take creative risks and develop distinct artistic voices.