UCS Students Sweep Prizes at Scholastic Arts Competition

Nearly 200 honors were awarded to Utica Community Schools students through the annual Scholastic Arts competition, with Henry Ford II and Eisenhower students taking two of the five top awards and a best in show title.

Henry Ford II student Amanda Hallquist and Eisenhower student Connor Skowronek earned "American Vision" awards for producing the best pieces of work in specific categories. Hallquist was honored in the painting category and Skowronek for drawing category.

In addition, Henry Ford II student Jessica Sharkey earned a “Best of Show” honor for her art portfolio.

Other top honors – or “Gold” keys - for art portfolios were awarded to Johannah Kayser, of Stevenson High School; Courtney McAnsh, of Utica High School; Rachel Rebecca, of Henry Ford II High School; Mia Vitale, of Henry Ford II; and Hallquist.

A Gold Key for his photography portfolio was awarded to Haylie Presnell, of Henry Ford II.

The Scholastic Arts Competition is a national program that honors the best in student-produced art.

The regional Macomb, St. Clair and Lapeer program receives nearly 2000 works of art. Professional artists, with the assistance of volunteer art teachers, select pieces for Certificates, Silver and Gold Key Awards, American Vision nominations and Best of Show Portfolios.

All scholastic art honorees were displayed at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 31 through Feb. 14.

Students who earn American Vision nominations and gold key honors will participate in the national Scholastic Arts competition in New York.

In addition to the American Vision honors, other special awards for UCS students included: Macomb Community College Award for drawing to Jillian Oberts, of Shelby Junior High School; College for Creative Studies Award for Mixed Media to Rachel Rebecca, of Henry Ford II High School; Macomb Community College Award for photography to Kaylee Wygocki, of Shelby Junior High School; College for Creative Studies Award for Photography to Steven Miner, of Eisenhower High School; and College for Creative Studies Award for Sculpture to Aleksa Fortuna, of Eisenhower High School.

Individual awards earned by UCS students include:

Adlai Stevenson High School

Teachers: Kyla Crawford, Patti Fields

Victoria Buzzalini - Silver Key - Photography

Victoria Buzzalini - Certificate - Photography

Lauren Cocco - Silver Key - Painting

Lauren Cocco - Certificate - Photography

Lauren Cocco - Certificate - Photography

Rachel Finazzo - Certificate - Painting

Johannah Kayser - Silver Key - Printmaking

Johannah Kayser - Certificate - Painting

Johannah Kayser - Certificate - Printmaking

Amena Safdar - Certificate - Painting

Amena Safdar - Certificate - Painting

Sydney Salloum - Silver Key - Photography

Sydney Salloum - Certificate - Photography

Beata Sas - Gold Key - Photography

Eisenhower High School

Teachers: Joseph Acker, Nancy Druia, Patrick Packan, Jennifer Ramirez

Lauren Alfonsi - Silver Key - Drawing

HannahBurton - Certificate - Drawing

Aleksa Fortuna - Gold Key - Fashion

Hali Fortuna - Gold Key - Photography

Jacolyn Hurd - Silver Key - Drawing

Andrew Kaye - Certificate - Architecture

Ashley Kreger - Silver Key - Sculpture

Matthew Lietz - Silver Key - Drawing

CJ Ligocki - Certificate - Painting

Allison McKenzie - Certificate - Drawing

Steven Miner - Gold Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Gold Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Gold Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Gold Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Silver Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Silver Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Silver Key - Photography

Steven Miner - Certificate - Photography

Steven Miner - Certificate - Photography

Steven Miner - Certificate - Photography

Alyssa Palazzolo - Silver Key - Photography

Alyssa Palazzolo - Certificate - Sculpture

Alyssa Palazzolo - Certificate - Photography

Jordan Schanbeck - Silver Key - Photography

Connor Skowronek - Gold Key - Drawing

Connor Skowronek - Gold Key - Drawing

Connor Skowronek - Silver Key - Painting

Connor Skowronek - Silver Key - Painting

Connor Skowronek - Certificate - Drawing

Kellie Spanos - Certificate - Photography

Daniel Stirnemann - Certificate - Sculpture

Haley Vogt - Silver Key - Sculpture

Jacquelyn Walter - Silver Key - Sculpture

Lucienne Woods - Gold Key - Painting

Henry Ford II High School

Teachers: Kristine Cooper, Joe Elliott, Amy May

Megan Baniak - Certificate - Drawing

Sarah Barsuhn - Silver Key - Photography

Enxhi Bejko - Silver Key - Drawing

Breanne Bloedel - Silver Key - Photography

Alexis Bowman - Silver Key - Photography

Jenna Budd - Silver Key - Photography

Jenna Budd - Certificate - Drawing

Jenna Budd - Certificate - Photography

Jenna Budd - Certificate - Photography

Jenna Budd - Certificate - Photography

Jenna Budd - Certificate - Photography

William Dandalides - Certificate - Film & Animation

John Davis - Gold Key - Photography

John Davis - Gold Key - Photography

John Davis - Certificate - Photography

John Davis - Certificate - Photography

John Davis - Certificate - Photography

John Davis - Certificate - Photography

Jenna Frasard - Gold Key - Drawing

Jacob Gallucci - Certificate - Mixed Media

Nicole Graham - Gold Key - Photography

Amanda Hallquist - Gold Key - Drawing

Amanda Hallquist - Gold Key - Painting

Amanda Hallquist - Silver Key - Drawing

Amanda Hallquist - Silver Key - Drawing

Amanda Hallquist - Silver Key - Painting

Amanda Hallquist - Silver Key - Painting

Amanda Hallquist - Certificate - Drawing

Amanda Hallquist - Certificate - Painting

Jaimee Hawkinson - Certificate - Drawing

Hailey Howarth - Certificate - Photography

Jason Kazmierski - Silver Key - Photography

Miriam Keith - Certificate - Ceramics & Glass

Megan Kozaruk - Silver Key - Drawing

Megan Kozaruk - Silver Key - Drawing

Alexis Lally - Gold Key - Drawing

Tayler Mandziara - Gold Key - Design

Tayler Mandziara - Certificate - Photography

Sarabelle Owens - Certificate - Sculpture

Haylie Presnell - Silver Key - Photography

Haylie Presnell - Silver Key - Photography

Haylie Presnell - Silver Key - Photography

Haylie Presnell - Certificate - Photography

Haylie Presnell - Certificate - Photography

Rachel Rebecca - Certificate - Drawing

Rachel Rebecca - Certificate - Drawing

Rachel Rebecca - Certificate - Mixed Media

Rachel Rebecca - Certificate - Mixed Media

Kristen Rimmel - Silver Key - Drawing

Jessica Sharkey - Gold Key - Drawing

Jessica Sharkey - Gold Key - Drawing

Jessica Sharkey - Gold Key - Mixed Media

Jessica Sharkey - Silver Key - Drawing

Jessica Sharkey - Certificate - Drawing

Alyssa Sweet - Silver Key - Photography

Shannon Sweet - Certificate - Ceramics & Glass

Isaac Towianski - Gold Key - Photography

Isaac Towianski - Certificate - Jewelry

Mia Vitale - Gold Key - Drawing

Mia Vitale - Gold Key - Photography

Mia Vitale - Silver Key - Drawing

Mia Vitale - Certificate - Drawing

Mia Vitale - Certificate - Drawing

Mia Vitale - Certificate - Mixed Media

Rachel Waldorf - Certificate - Photography

Jess Weal - Gold Key - Photography

Utica High School

Teachers: Jennifer Allore, Joshua Etheridge

Dario Bosankic - Gold Key - Mixed Media

Dario Bosankic - Gold Key - Sculpture

Dario Bosankic - Silver Key - Sculpture

Giovanni Braun - Certificate - Digital Art

Chelsea Brennan - Silver Key - Photography

Chelsea Brennan - Certificate - Photography

Arianna Davidson - Certificate - Drawing

Nina Delise - Silver Key - Photography

Melissa Hannish - Certificate - Ceramics & Glass

Jacqueline Townsend - Gold Key - Photography

Jacqueline Townsend - Certificate - Photography

Jacqueline Townsend - Certificate - Photography

Hannah Yaroch - Certificate - Design

Sarah Young - Silver Key - Sculpture

Utica Center for Science and Industry

Teachers: Michael Allore, Megan Berry

Adam Atallah - Gold Key - Film & Animation

Kirstin Daniels - Silver Key - Photography

Kirstin Daniels - Certificate - Photography

Kirstin Daniels - Certificate - Photography

Hayden Lepora - Certificate - Photography

Ryan Manauis - Gold Key - Digital Art

Ryan Manauis - Gold Key - Digital Art

Sarah Mauser - Silver Key - Photography

Sarah Mauser - Certificate - Photography

Gabriel Moore - Gold Key - Photography

Rachael Morford - Certificate - Photography

Michael Pezok - Gold Key - Photography

Austin Rudisill - Silver Key - Design

Austin Rudisill - Certificate - Design

Amber Zuehlke - Gold Key - Photography

Amber Zuehlke - Gold Key - Photography

Amber Zuehlke - Certificate - Photography

Shelby Junior High School

Teacher: Lisa Grunewald

Ben Campbell - Gold Key - Photography

Hannah Campbell - Gold Key - Photography

Deserae Diciesare - Gold Key - Photography

Deserae Diciesare - Gold Key - Photography

Deserae Diciesare - Silver Key - Photography

Ryann Easterbrook - Silver Key - Fashion

Freuehauf Gabbrielle - Certificate - Photography

Rebecca Heath - Silver Key - Digital Art

Rebecca Heath - Certificate - Photography

Rebecca Heath - Certificate - Photography

Anna Hoffman - Gold Key - Photography

Anna Hoffman - Certificate - Photography

Kyle Macciomei - Certificate - Film & Animation

Brendan Milosavljevic - Certificate - Film & Animation

Jillian Oberts - Gold Key - Drawing

Jillian Oberts - Silver Key - Drawing

Jillian Oberts - Certificate - Drawing

Dante Paglia - Silver Key - Photography

Paige Spinale - Certificate - Digital Art

Emily Stewart - Silver Key - Digital Art

Kaylee Wygocki - Silver Key - Photography

Kaylee Wygocki - Silver Key - Photography

Kaylee Wygocki - Certificate - Digital Art