Three District 99 visual artist students have been honored with National Medals by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, placing their artwork in the Top 1% of all adjudicated works nationally.
Mary Lerch, North High
- National Gold Medal for piece of Jewelry "Willow By The Pier"
- Teacher Robyn Bican
Ashley DeAnda, South High
- National Silver Medal for Photograph titled "no direction"
- Teacher Sam Wascher
.jpg?mask=2)
Eliot Michaels, North High
- National Silver Medal for Art Portfolio with six pieces awarded with Silver Medals with Distinction (Click here to view Eliot's full portfolio)
- Teacher Marty Voelker
"We are thrilled for Mary and Eliot for their amazing national accomplishments," North High Fine Arts Department Chair Brayer Teague said. "Their hard work and determination, coupled with the exceptional mentoring of their teachers, has propelled them to be recognized at this level. We could not be happier for them."
"Earning a national award from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the pinnacle of success for a high school artist," South High Fine Arts Department Chair Glenn Williams said. "We are extremely proud of Ashley and for earning this recognition at a national level."
Each year, the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) apply in 29 categories of art and writing. In 2020-21, students submitted over 300,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards.
For more information about the National Scholastic Art awards, contact Downers Grove North High Fine Arts Department Chair Brayer Teague at bteague@csd99.org or Downers Grove South High Fine Arts Department Chair Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.