Six art students from Decorah High School are recipients of Scholastic Art Awards, presented by the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Those receiving Gold Key awards include Addison Maki, “Frederick the Frog”: photography; Ezra Hegdahl, “Knight/Chocolate Horse”: sculpture; and Dillan Johnson, “Untitled”: photography.  Brooklyn Anderson received a Silver Key award for her drawing entitled “Black and White.” Receiving Honorable Mention are Evynne Downing for her mixed media entry entitled “Sisters,” and Shelby Jochola-Rodriguez for digital art: “Alcohol Abuse.” Gold Key works will be judged at the national level in New York City.

DHS art instructor Erik Dutcher stated, “I am proud of all the Decorah students that submitted artwork.”

Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of the nation’s most celebrated artists and

writers while they were teenagers, including Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick,

José Parlá, Amanda Gorman, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol.  Dutcher added, “I’m so excited to count my students among these esteemed Scholastic Art & Writing Awards alumni!”

Scholastic Art Winners (l-r): Evynne Downing, Addison Maki, Dillan Johnson, Ezra Hegdahl, Shelby Jochola-Rodriguez, Brooklyn Anderson

Addison Maki, Frederick the Frog, Photography, Gold Key

Ezra Hegdahl, Knight/Chocolate Horse, Sculpture, Gold Key

Dillan Johnson, Untitled, Photography, Gold Key