News Detail

The Mequon-Thiensville School District is proud to announce that fifteen student artists received accolades for their visual artwork through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Under the direction of teachers Melinda Plamann (Steffen and Lake Shore Middle Schools), Kat Hustedde, Katie Nowak, and Gina Ruchalski (Homestead High School), students from Lake Shore & Steffen Middle Schools and Homestead High School received five Gold Keys, four Silver Keys, and sixteen Honorable Mentions.

The Scholastic Art Awards are given annually to students whose work breaks from convention, blurs the boundaries between genres, and challenges notions of how a particular concept or emotion can be expressed. Entries must demonstrate use of techniques to advance an original perspective or a personal vision or voice, and show skills being utilized to create something unique, powerful, and innovative. Other award criteria include working with an authentic and unique point of view and style.

“We are happy to showcase our district's incredible talent through this competition,” said Homestead art instructor, Kat Hustedde, “It truly represents not only the caliber of Visual Art instruction across grades K-12, but also our students' drive for excellence and self-expression. We are excited to celebrate with students and families at the Milwaukee Art Museum! Students often find it surreal seeing one's work hanging in the same space as master artists, and it is quite a confidence boost for them.”

Gold Key Winners include:

• Ana-Lucia Aleman, Grade 12
• Meghan Eckl, Grade 11
• Elsa Heinrich, Grade 11
• Meredith Niedfeldt, Grade 11
• Angela Vang, Grade 12

Silver Key Winners include:

• Liam Aicher, Grade 11
• Addison Drumm, Grade 10
• Cassandra Sklarz, Grade 12
• Angela Vang, Grade 12

Honorable Mentions include:

• Liam Aicher, Grade 11
• Addison Drumm, Grade 10
• Meghan Eckl, Grade 11
• Elsa Heinrich, Grade 11
• Mia Lind, Grade 8
• Riley Meskin, Grade 11
• Clare Pepke, Grade 12
• Olive Ramsey, Grade 12
• Jade Sondag, Grade 12
• Hannah Willis, Grade 12
• Angela Vang, Grade 12
• Kalel Vang, Grade 8

More than 3,000 artworks from grades 7-12 were submitted in this year’s regional competition, for Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention, American Voices Nominee, and American Visions Nominee awards. Categories include: Architecture, Ceramics & Glass, Comic Art, Design, Digital Art, Drawing, Fashion, Film & Animation, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture.

Over 300 award-winning student artworks will be featured in the Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Museum running from February 24 - April 7th. Awards are presented to students along with celebration ceremonies at the museum on March 2nd. All Gold Key recipients’ work goes on to the National competition.

National Medalists and their educators are honored with a formal ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City. To see the work of MTSD Scholastic Art Winners digitally, please click here.