Check out the artistic work of Woodburn students

Woodburn High School art teacher Catherine Johnstone recently shared the 2024 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

In an announcement to the district Johnstone said:

"Please join me in congratulating the following students for their outstanding achievements in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition: Brendaly Anselmo Alvarado, Kiarah Bryant, Haily Helzer, Violet Spencer, and Jessica Gaspar Morales."

Johnstone further noted that the Scholastic Awards were founded more than 100 years ago (1923) and have a long and reputable history.

"Winning a Scholastic Art and Writing Award is a prestigious honor," Johnstone said. "This year the competition was especially tough because we competed for the first time in the Western Region-at-Large which included a total of 11 states.

"Brendaly’s Gold Key artwork now advances to national adjudication. Her work will be judged by professional artists in New York City for a possible Gold or Silver Medal," she added.

"Wish her luck!"

WHS winning art work by category and the artist's name and grade are as follows:

Gold Key

“Calendulas” Mixed Media, Brendaly Alvarado Anselmo, 12.

Silver Keys

“What I Am vs What I Can Be” Digital, Kiarah Bryant, 12;

“Lifeless” Digital, Brendaly Alvarado Anselmo, 12;

“School Pride” Digital, Brenadly Alvarado Anselmo, 12;

“Frost” Photography, Violet Spencer, 11.

Honorable Mentions

“Profile of Woman” Digital Brendaly Alvarado Anselmo, 12;

“V” Digital Brendaly Alvarado Anselmo, 12;

“Late Night Conversation at the Kitchen Table” Poetry Brendaly Alvarado Anselmo, 12:

A knot forms in my throat

I vomit a string of words

Poppled on the table.

Sharks circle around the table

Invisible water

Floods the table.

A sentence?

A paragraph?

An explanation?

Clarification, perhaps?

Nothing.

The wind and the sea fight

against each other.

The wind howls

The sea roars

A battle that can not be

Uphold.

It's deformed, incomprehensible

Not even the sharpest ear can

Make it out.

Nor can the wittiest mind

Read my mind.

I don't know what you want,

I don't know what I want either.

After the storm there is peace,

But not peace that you can sleep

with,

Peace that is devoured by guilt.

A peace that drowns out life

And leaves you

Still and blue

At the table.

“Life and Death” Photography Hailey Helzer, 11;

“Girl with Headphones” Photography Hailey Helzer, 11;

“Koi” Watercolor Hailey Helzer, 11;

“Tree Mushroom” Photography Jessica Gaspar Morales, 12.