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The Scholastic Art Awards date back to 1923, the prestigious art award was even given to Andy Warhol in 1945. Luminaries judge submissions in the visual arts, some even past recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, skill and the presence of personal voice or vision. This year, five Fossil Ridge High School students won the Gold Key for their art pieces. Seniors Jonathon Hamilton, Cassie Florentin, and Tess Scarborough snagged awards for their stunning pieces.

Senior Jonathan Hamilton “Nihil”

Q: What does it mean to you to win the Scholastic Gold Key award?                                                                                                                                                                       A: I am honored to know that someone else appreciates the art I make, but really I wish I could give the key away to some of the more deserving students in my AP Studio class. The whole selection process is largely subjective with the scholastic society, which means I try not to hold too much esteem in my medal.

Q: What inspired your winning piece?                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A: The inspiration for my piece cam from what I see to be a paradox expressed by nihilism (the belief in nothing). The paradox is that nihilism is both childishly innocent but also terrifying. The idea of believing in nothing has sculpted my identity as a person and an artist enormously.

Q: When did you first start pursuing art?                                                                                                                                                                                                                      A: I made art as a toddler because my mom created an environment in our house that was very conducive to creativity and freedom. However, I didn’t really start to pursue art until I first interacted with school. I remember drawing on homework assignments back in kindergarten (and have continued since). I see it as a kind of essential rebellion.

Q: What are your plans for college? Do they include art?                                                                                                                                                                                           A: My plans for college are still largely nebulous. I do have pretty strong visions of what I want to due in terms of art though. I am planning on making a design firm in the future and hopefully work as a freelance illustrator. I don’t want to chain myself to just art though.

Q: Any other clubs or sports you participate in?                                                                                                                                                                                                           A: My main sport is jousting, it can be pretty dangerous.

Senior Cassie Florentin “Spyglass”

Q: What does it mean to you to win the Scholastic Gold Key award?                                                                                                                                                                       A: To win a gold key is surreal, when my pieces into scholastics, I was really just hoping for anything to be honest. As an artist, you are always looking for positive feedback in artwork. You work and erase and create, for hours, putting your heart and soul in to it. While you are doing it for your own soul purpose, for your own therapy, you are still secretly striving for some sort of success indicator. Winning a gold key is simply an honor and something I will never forget.

Q: What inspired your winning piece?                                                                                                                                                                                                                           A: I can’t really describe my inspiration for this piece. My inspiration comes in sudden bursts that just build and grow as it becomes stronger and starts to take shape. Really I just started with wanting to do a unique self-portrait, and somehow it just turned into me looking through my fingers. I can’t really explain how it unfolded that way.

Q: When did you first start pursuing art?                                                                                                                                                                                                                       A: I have always loved art. When I was younger I used to think I was the best drawer there ever was. My ego was pretty big [laughs]. But I was definitely humbled freshman year when I realized there was so much talent around me. I think that is what really pushed me to keep a sketchbook, to actively practice art, and most importantly appreciate the artwork of those around me. I think that is what really pushed me. To keep a sketchbook, to actively practice art and most importantly appreciate the artwork of those around me.

Q: What are your plans for college? Do they include art?                                                                                                                                                                                           A: Along with a lot of my peers, I am not exactly sure what I want to do in college. I have two things that I am definitely interested in, and that’s physical therapy and art. I would love to major in either one of those, though I am not sure what I’ll do after college yet.

Q: Any other clubs or sports you participate in?                                                                                                                                                                                                           A: I do play soccer, and I am also looking into playing at the college level as well, though I have not signed anywhere yet.

Senior Tess Scarborough “Taraxcum”

Q: What does it mean to you to win the Scholastic Gold Key award?                                                                                                                                                                       A: After winning the gold key for my individual piece, titled “Taraxcum,” nothing much changed. I always knew that this was my passion. It did provide the validation that I was looking for after having some artistic block, and re-inspired me. I am the biggest critic of my art, but that’s what pushes me to work harder and create images that are worth being proud of.

Q: What inspired your winning piece?                                                                                                                                                                                                                           A: The day that I took the picture that won the gold key award I was riding a four-wheeler with a friend down a dirt path in the Wyoming Mountains. I had brought my camera and we were exploring the summer countryside. I saw this dandelion and was just interested by it.

Q: When did you first start pursuing art?                                                                                                                                                                                                                       A:I first started pursuing photography as an art when I was a freshman here at FRHS. My middle school didn’t have any photo classes and I was already intrigued by the prospect of it. I’ve been taking photos ever since.

Q: What are you plans for your future? Do they include art?                                                                                                                                                                                     A: Art will always be in my life. There’s no way I think that I could live without it. When there are no words, there is art.

Q: Any other clubs or sports you participate in?                                                                                                                                                                                                           A: I am also involved in the media department at school. I love making films almost as much as I love taking photographs.

Q: Anything else you would like me to add?                                                                                                                                                                                                                   A: I want to thank Ms. Cohen and Mrs. Lemmon for all of their support and inspiration.