Joliet Central High School students earned more than $1.4 million in college scholarship offers after showcasing their artwork at one of the nation’s largest and most competitive high school art exhibitions.
The scholarships were awarded during the 13th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition, held March 14 through April 18 at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago.
The event featured approximately 1,000 student artists from more than 125 Illinois high schools and provided access to more than $71 million in annual scholarship opportunities.
The exhibition connects students, educators and college representatives from across the state while helping young artists explore college and career opportunities.
Students selected to exhibit artwork from Joliet Central included Amber Davis, Madelyn Gloodt, Angela Guzman, Rauri O’Hara, Mia Cardenas and Mayte Perez Serrato.
Joliet Central juniors Leslie Espinoza, Angela Guzman and Diego Tirado were also selected to participate in the exhibition’s Early College Program, which helps students explore college opportunities in the arts.
Students selected for the Senior Scholarship Exhibition included Saleen Canales, Mia Cardenas, Aron Chimmy, Amber Davis, Montserrat Gabriel Aguilera, Evelyn Lopez, Rauri O’Hara, Leticia Reyes Torres and Tayla Stallings.
Joliet Central also received a Top 20 Scholarship Schools Award during the exhibition.
Several students earned individual honors. Rauri O’Hara received an Honorable Mention in Mixed Media, while Tayla Stallings earned the Outstanding Achievement in Portfolio Quality Award.
Art teachers Nyssa Grzyb and Rachel LaVine said the awards reflect the students’ hard work and artistic growth throughout the school year.
“This recognition reflects the dedication our students bring to their craft every day,” Grzyb said. “They are not only developing strong technical skills, but also finding their voice as artists.”
LaVine said the exhibition gives students opportunities beyond the classroom.
“These opportunities allow our students to connect their passion for art with real pathways to college and careers,” LaVine said. “We are incredibly proud of the way they represented Joliet Central.”
The Illinois High School Art Exhibition is organized by ArtConnectED, a nonprofit organization that supports arts education and creative opportunities for students and teachers across Illinois.
Images provided by JTHS District 204: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCStmC
