Five Newtown High School students were among the award-winners in the recent Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Program.

According to an announcement from Newtown Director of Visual and Performing Arts and NHS Fine Arts Department Chair Michelle Hiscavich, freshman Kimora Campbell earned a Silver Key award in the drawing and illustration category for “Glare in the Calm”; sophomore Eva Barricella earned a Silver Key award in the drawing and illustration category for “Pears”; freshman Puma Marx earned an honorable mention in the drawing and illustration category for “Serenity”; senior Kate Wassmer earned an honorable mention in the painting category for “The Silent Wish You Make”; and senior Katherine Kordik earned a Silver Key award in the mixed media category for “Taking Flight.”

All the entries were created for NHS art classes with either NHS art teachers Carol Skolas or Kymberly Noone.

“I have to say I am proud and impressed by the work they have created. Not only did they work hard to achieve high-level art, but they all did these pieces through pandemic learning, some of them fully remote,” Noone reflected in a recent e-mail. “They grew as artists, while adding their personal voice into each piece. I appreciate all their hard work and it is outstanding that their hard work has been recognized through these prestigious awards.”

Speaking of her student Katherine Kordik, Skolas said in an e-mail, “I have had her for several classes and in each one she pushes her creative talents, whether it is with painting, drawing, or sculpture. She has always worked diligently with all of her pieces. I loved seeing how she interpreted and focused on each creative challenge that was presented in class. In this piece she married her love for her parrot with her art. The piece is made with feathers.”

Hiscavich explained the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Program is sponsored by the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards Partners, the Connecticut Art Education Association Incorporated, and the University of Hartford Art School. For the program, student work is juried by a panel of professionals to determine the most outstanding work by high school artists in the state of Connecticut. Newtown has consistently participated over the years and continues to have outstanding results, according to Hiscavich.

“Arts education is part of a well-rounded education for all students, and our art teachers work each and every day to nurture the talents of their students,” Hiscavich said. “This year’s Scholastic Art Award winners have put a great deal of planning, care, and detail into their work. They exemplify what can be accomplished when students are provided time to imagine, create, and tell their story through art. I am incredibly proud of their vision, talents, and award-winning pieces and can’t wait to see what they create next.”

A virtual celebration was held on February 26, in place of an annual Scholastic Art Awards Exhibit.

Hiscavich also wrote, “Our students are very fortunate to work with our dedicated, creative and talented art teachers. Thank you to Carol Skolas and Kymberly Noone at the high school for their continued guidance in helping these students win this honor, and to all of Newtown’s art teachers for inspiring and developing the artistic abilities of our students so that they may reach this level of achievement.”