Students from Rock Creek delivered an impressive performance at this year’s Highland Art Day, earning a total of seven awards in a highly competitive field. Rock Creek students stood out among more than 1,300 artworks at this year’s Highland Art Day, bringing home seven awards, including a Best in Show honor in one of the event’s most competitive fields yet.
“We brought 27 items to enter into the very competitive art show. Out of 45 schools that entered a total of 1,357 artworks, and only 200 awards given out, we brought home 7 awards that is the most we have brought home from Highland,” Kyle Van Vogelpoel, art teacher said.
Several students earned top honors for their work across a variety of artistic mediums. Dakoda Moeller was awarded Best in Show for photography, one of the event’s highest distinctions.
“I was going into it thinking I wasn’t going to win, but was very excited whenever I got the award,” Moeller said.
Emma Pittenger also achieved a standout performance, earning Best in Show in ink while additionally receiving an Honorable Mention in acrylic, which has been on display in the lobby of the high school.
Other recognized students included Christina (Chris) Johnson, who earned an Honorable Mention in collage, and Claire Steeves, who received an Art Excellence award in sculpture. David Shultz was honored with Art Excellence in graphite, while Emily Holt earned Art Excellence recognition in acrylic.
Steeves was also very surprised with how she did, knowing this was a very difficult art competition. “I wasn’t very confident, but was happy with my award,” Steeves said.
Van Vogelpoel praised the student’s performance, especially the seniors.
“I was very impressed with how our seniors did at Highland,” Van Vogelpoel said.
In addition to Highland Art Day results, Rock Creek students earned numerous League Art honors in both 2D and 3D categories. Chris Johnson was selected as the Overall Student Choice winner in 3D, while Emma Pittenger earned Overall Student Choice in 2D.
Judge’s Choice Awards were presented to Chris Johnson (three awards), Madi Ohlenbusch, Tatiana Wolter, Emily Holt, Emma Pittenger, Joe McFall, Koda Moeller, Acelyn Rottinghaus, Avery Adams, Luci Shultz, Claire Steeves, Rylie Bergren, Hayden Rupp, and Simeon Bohlen.
Faculty Choice Awards in 2D were awarded to Claire Steeves (three awards), Clarissa Torrey, Emma Pittenger (two awards), David Shultz (three awards), Emily Holt (two awards), Tyler Liebsch, Lincoln Clubb, Layton Ebert, and Tim Redetzke (two awards).
With a record number of awards and recognition across multiple categories, Rock Creek students demonstrated both depth and versatility, marking this year’s another one of the program’s successful showings to date. However, for the students involved, the awards not only recognized their work but also reflected the amount of time, creativity, and effort behind each piece.
