‘Conference is an awesome opportunity for our students’

ROCHELLE — Rochelle Township High School recently congratulated its 12 students whose artwork was selected to compete in the I-8 Conference Art Competition that took place on Saturday, March 11.  

Art teacher Beth Mock said of the event, “Conference is an awesome opportunity for our students. The students who attend get inspiration from artwork by their peers and those who enter get to see how their skills stack up against other schools. I am very proud of all those who participated and all our art students.”

The winning pieces that helped RTHS place third overall were: first place in printmaking by Julissa Torres, second place drawing color by Alivia Henkel, graphic design/commercial by Dylan Benge, sculpture no clay by Pigeon Burgholzer and third place drawing neutral by Kennedy Underwood, ceramics wheel thrown by Seven Spencer and mixed media by Denia Rincon. 

This was a diverse group of winners in that the works were made by students in all different grade levels and created in a variety of classes.  Sophomore Julissa Torres’s piece, “Nature’s Rhythm,'' was created in 2DL1, senior Benge’s “Rocket Fuel” in AP Art, juniors Henkel’s “Shockingly high Prices,” Underwood’s “Togetherness” and Burgholzer’s “Who is No One?” in Advanced Art, sophomore Rincon’s “Natalie the Diva” in 2DL2, and junior Spencer’s “Mycena Interrupta” in Ceramics I.

This diverse group of winners is reflective of the wide range of courses the RTHS art department’s curriculum offers. The curriculum was recently updated to offer more experiences to students as well as keep on par with college readiness.

“This update allows students to explore the many processes of art while incorporating contemporary artists and student choice,” Mock said. “By offering our students diverse options, students are able to find subjects, content and professional career opportunities that inspire them, which then makes for inspired artwork. The I-8 Conference Show is always a fun show. It is always nice to see our art students get recognized for all their hard work.”

Upcoming art competitions include the Congressional Art Competition in April and the annual RTHS Art Show the week of May 8.