Central was one of 29 high schools that participated in the Regional Scholastic Art Competition, now celebrating its 90-th year.

“I think any competition is an opportunity for kids to assess where they are with their artwork,” said Ms. Laura Milas, Art Department Chairperson. Students from all schools submitted 2,973 pieces of artwok.    The categories in the competition were architecture, ceramics and glass, comic art, design, digital art, drawing, fashion, film and animation, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography and printmaking.

Nick Leahy, junior, submitted two of his dresses to the fashion category.  One dress was called Black Diamond and the other Medieval Diamond, and both of these dresses will continue on to New York City.  He also was awarded with a Silver Key Award.

“I was inspired by diamonds and my idol Lady Gaga while I created my dresses. Each one unique and different in its own way but each has a darker side to it,” he said.  Leahy’s passion is in fashion design and hopes this will be one of many rewards he receives.  He believes this competition will start to pave the way of his future to becoming a fashion designer.

Sarah Alvero, freshman, was another student who participated in the competition.  This was the first time she had submitted artwork to a big competition.  She submitted one canvas out of a series about break dance to the mixed media category.  She was awarded the Silver Key.  “I had all these photos of break dancers that I took in my advanced photo class, so I decided to draw them with sharpie.  And then have a background that portrays the individuality of the break dancers,” Alvero said.

Her inspiration comes through break dancing.  “Since I have been break dancing throughout high school, that influences what I feel about the dance and I want to communicate the individuality of every break dancer that I know,” Alvero said.  Each break dancer is someone she has danced with before.

Another Silver Key winner, Mary Parker, sophomore, submitted a glass bracelet with red and white lining.  She came up with the idea by seeing different glass in a bin.  She decided this was a cool combination to use.  Her artwork involves a lot of add-ons and the piece ends up more intense.  Add-ons are different pieces of art that you add to the artwork.  “I took away that I should always try harder on my pieces and I can succeed if I want to,” Parker said.  She was surprised because at first she did not want to join, but ended up winning award.

This competition will help the students in the future by influencing them in art.  For Alvero this competition has helped her develop her own style.  “It will help me with college opportunities and it will help me with making art,” Parker said.

“My work comes from the heart; I don’t create fashion to win a prize, I create fashion to inspire people and inspire myself. I try to challenge myself every time I sit down to sew, “Leahy said.