Avondale Schools_USE THIS

Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, 248.651.7536/cell: 586.817.8414, barbara@eafocus.com; Sue Briggs, Avondale School District, 248.537.6041, susan.briggs@avondale.k12.mi.us

Auburn Hills, Mich.—Feb. 11, 2014— Avondale School District, an achievement-oriented learning community focused on student leadership and success in academics, the arts and athletics, announces the art work of 19 Avondale High School students was accepted in the Southeastern Michigan Scholastic Art Awards. Six of the students earned a first place/Gold Key and their work will continue on to New York City for the National Competition in March. Winning art from all 19 students and other art students from the region will be on display at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit February – March 7.

Congratulations to the following Avondale High School artists:

Gold Key (1st place) honors:
• Angie Delacruz, senior, for printmaking
• Emilie DeVilbiss, senior, for Art Portfolio
• Andrew Dworack, senior, for mixed media
• Max Hamer, senior, for architecture
• Madeline Helland, senior, for mixed media
• Paul Miriani, senior, for Art Portfolio

Silver Key (2nd place) honors:
• Mia Dexter, junior, for drawing
• Shelby Drake, senior, for drawing
• Andrew Lopes, senior, for drawing
• Viraj Nakum, sophomore, for architecture
• Derek Queen, senior, for drawing
• Manuel Roque, senior, for architecture and painting
• Shima Sadaghiyani, junior, for painting
• Madeline Smith, junior, for drawing

Honorable Mentions (3rd place):
• Zahraa Alfashkhi, sophomore, for drawing
• Henry Cleaveland, junior, for drawing
• Mia Dexter, junior, for drawing and painting
• Zachariah Dushaj, sophomore, for drawing
• Mary Kate Kirksey, junior, for architecture
• Paul Miriani, senior, for drawing
• Derek Queen, senior, for drawing
• Elisabeth Stimmel, senior, for painting

The award winners are students of Avondale High School art teachers Andrew Maurer, Ryan Woodward and Leigh Wright.

“I am so proud of the Avondale High School students and how well they represent our community every year in the Scholastic Art Awards. To have the success they did this year when four additional counties were added to the division speaks to the talent of our students,” said Wright. “Their work continues to stand out among high school art students not only in southeast Michigan but across the state, region and nation.”

About the Scholastic Art Awards
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, identifies teenagers with exceptional creative talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Founded in 1923, the Awards program is the longest-running, most prestigious initiative of its kind, having fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students through recognition, exhibitions and publications.

Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual and literary-arts organizations across the country to bring The Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 28 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published. Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.

Over the past six years alone, students have submitted more than a million works of art and writing and more than $30 million has been made available in scholarships and awards to top winning participants.

About the Avondale School District
Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondale.k12.mi.us.

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