Twin Valley High School art students received awards from the Twin Valley Rotary Club at Morgantown’s Windmill Family Restaurant on Wednesday, April 29.
The awards were part of the club’s weekly meeting at 7:15 a.m. Prizes included certificates, $250 in cash prizes and complimentary breakfast for the students, their families and teachers.
“It’s the only contest…we’re in that is just Twin Valley students,” said art teacher Addy McKerns. “They look forward to it every year because they get awards [and] breakfast.”
First place went to Sara Pessognelli for her charcoal sketch on maroon paper of glass bottles, pots and pans. Second was awarded to Caroline Coke for her watercolor painting made with coffee. Alex Roush earned third place for her fabric piece. Jackie Rambo received fourth place for a mixed media piece using watercolor, pencil and grass.
The judges were Rotary Club members Les Groves and Mark DiAddezio. For their judging criteria, Groves said, “We based it on what we like.”
“We chose a variety of examples of art this year [as] a way of encouraging…a group of artists and their use of creativity,” said Groves.
Aside from Rotary Club members and the students, in attendance were high school assistant principal Matthew Barber; art teachers McKerns, Samantha Rowlands and Heather McCord; and students’ families.
As Rotary member and art show coordinator Ron Moyer began giving out awards, he said to everyone, “This is always one of the meetings we enjoy the most.”
McKerns briefly talked about the students, who usually take up to three art classes a semester, depending on what they need.
“We have an awesome art program,” she said. “The students work really hard. Most of the kids that win these awards are on track for art school.”
Each student talked about her piece while accepting the award from Moyer.
Roush, currently in 12th grade, plans on going to Kutztown University to major in fine arts.
“Every since I was little, it was something I loved to do,” she said.
Right now, Roush is experimenting with all forms of art. She explained that her latest piece uses the technique of batik, which involves dying certain areas of the fabric at a time using wax.
Rambo, also in 12th grade, is attending KU for art education and received a full scholarship. To be accepted, she sent an essay on why she wanted to be an art educator and about 11 to 12 pieces in a portfolio.
“I’ve been wanting to do things with the arts for a long time now, since I was about 12,” said Rambo.
“We were totally thrilled,” said her father Chris Rambo of the scholarship.
Coke, an 11th grader, plans on attending Pulse Beauty Academy in Downingtown.
For Pessognelli, also in 11th grade, she plans on attending college but is still deciding what to pursue.
For art, she said, “It’s more of a hobby for me.”
McKerns added that Pessognelli completed her winning piece very quickly in class.
“This is very easy for her. She finished it before anyone else,” McKerns said.
According to Moyer, student awards have always been part of the Tri-County Art Show. The Tri-County Friends of the Arts started the show 20 years ago, passing it along to the Rotary Club when the organization disbanded.
“I think that’s a really good way for students to get out there and do their jobs,” said Rambo of the contest for the students.