Art competitions have long served as a beacon for creative exploration and artistic excellence. For students, these events are much more than opportunities to win prizes—they are formative experiences that contribute significantly to personal, academic, and professional growth. Such art competitions play a pivotal role in student development, enhancing technical skills, nurturing creative confidence, and even shaping future career paths.
Horton art students came away from this year’s annual Northeastern Kansas League (NEKL) Art Competition feeling even more motivated after experiencing the results of pushing their abilities to refine their technical skills. Preparing for this competition requires dedicated practice and critical self-assessment. Horton High School art students worked hard on their submissions, while focusing on improving their technique, experimenting with different mediums, and honing their craftsmanship.
“We are so proud of our students – not only for the exceptional work they are doing in class but for going the extra mile in completing their submissions and honing their craftmanship,” said Margaret Krogmann, Visual Arts teacher for Horton High School. “Additionally, this process is not merely about polishing a single piece of work; it is a comprehensive exercise in discipline and self-improvement. For many students, the rigors of competition prompt them to revisit fundamental techniques and push the boundaries of their current abilities. Whether it is through practicing precise brushwork in painting, experimenting with sculptural forms, or mastering digital art techniques, the pressure to deliver a piece that stands out encourages continuous learning and growth. Technical skills, nurturing creative confidence, and even shaping future career paths.”
Jefferson County North High School hosted this year’s NEK League Art Competition, other NEK League schools participating in this year’s competition include Pleasant Ridge, Maur Hill, Horton High School, Troy High School, Jackson Heights, Valley Falls, Oskaloosa, ACCHS, and McLouth.
Results from NEKL Art Competition on Monday April 28, 2025 where our art students submitted 56 artworks for judging. Horton art students walked away with twenty-four first place medals out of the fifty first place medals that were available. Those students that were awarded a single first place medal was Mathew Dickson, Abigail Jenkins, and Noah Keo all for printmaking; La Nell Remirez for graphite drawing, Zoe Mick for pastel, Dani White for oil pastel, Ayden Schwed for graphite; Candra Lowe for jewelry, and Elina Saucedo for paper-mache. The Horton art students earning more than one first place award are Rocky Soriano for digital painting and a pastel drawing; Brianna Curtright for tinted graphite, cont, and a graphite drawing; Julie Lowe for conte and a paper-mache; Ashlynn Schwed for conte`, graphite, printmaking, and a watercolor painting; Sam Taff for sculpture and a cyanotype print; and Wyatt Doty for sculpture and a Batik painting.
Additionally, contributing to the overall win, several Horton art students who earned a second-place award were Dani White, Ashlynn Schwed, and Chanelle Blacksmith all earned a second-place award for their graphite drawings; La Nell Ramirez earned three for her graphite drawings; Justin Lowe for Batik painting; Elina Saucedo for pen and ink; Candra Lowe for jewelry making; Wyatt Doty for printmaking; Ayden Schwed for graphite drawing; and Brianna Curtright for a graphite drawing with gold-leaf. Those students earning “Honorable Mention” include Ayden Schwed earned two for his graphite drawings; Luke Mathewson for a pastel painting; both Rebecca Anderson, Laila Pahmahmie, and Noah Keo each earned an award for their oil pastels; Janie Owens for jewelry making; and Rose Jim for printmaking.
Students earning a first-place award for onsite competitions include Ashlynn Schwed, Dani White, Rebecca Anderson, and Alexis Jordan for “Duct Tape Fashion,” Students were to create an outfit using only duct tape. Additionally, students who also earned a first-place in onsite competitions where Candra Lowe, Chanelle Blacksmith, Brianna Curtright, Abby Jenkins, and Janie Owens for “Sidewalk chalk artwork mashup,” students were to draw a famous artwork of their choice and make a modern version of it.
Once again, we are so proud of our students and I know that they are looking forward already to next year’s opportunities and new artworks.
Mrs. Krogmann, Horton High School Art Teacher, plans on submitting four of the awarded artworks to the Congressional Art Competition. Any students’ artwork receiving recognition at this state level will be sent on to Washington D.C. to be exhibited for one year, receive two round trip tickets to Washington, and attend the Annual Congressional Award Reception at the U.S. Capitol.