ESD 123 recognizes the 2020-2021 school year has presented numerous challenges to students and their families. In that spirit, we wish to express our special appreciation and admiration of the many talented students in our region who persevered, continued to create, and produced incredible art this year. We encourage everyone to view the 2021 Virtual Art Exhibit Gallery to celebrate our regional high school student artists – and this year’s award-winning submissions.

This year, a new award category was created, called the People’s Choice award, selected by the public though an online survey! The standard Judge’s Choice awards were selected based on achievement creativity, composition, and technique per Washington State Arts K-12 Learning Standards. Artwork selected for the Judge’s Choice awards will move on to the state competition in May, which is led by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Congratulations to the 2021 ESD 123 People’s Choice Award Winner, Margot Massey! Margot, a student at Kamiakin High School in the Kennewick School District, is receiving the People’s Choice award for her piece titled “Conscience.”

In addition to the People’s Choice Award, this year’s 2021 Judge’s Choice Winners include:

• "Eye of the Cat" by Maria Gardner, Hanford High School
• "Conscience" by Margot Massey, Kamiakin High School
• "Dr. Strange" by Morgan Madder, Kamiakin High School
• "Retro Buildings" by Peyton Purvis, Chiawana High School

Faculty at Central Washington University also awarded scholarships of $2,000 to the following six students:

• Maria Gardner, Hanford High School
• Morgan Madder, Kamiakin High School
• Kaylee Memmott, Kamiakin High School
• Grady Lemma, Walla Walla High School
• Peyton Purvis, Chiawana High School
• Aiyana Tajeda, Kamiakin High School

A huge thank you to the students, staff, and community members who participated and made this year’s Virtual Regional Art Show possible. We are looking forward to next year’s show already. For more information, contact ESD Art Show Coordinator Lori Ballard at lballard@esd123.org, or 509-851-5216.

People's Choice Award and Judge's Choice Award Winner:

"Conscience" by Margot Massey, Kamiakin High School

Judge's Choice Award Winners:

"Eye of the Cat" by Maria Gardner, Hanford High School

"Dr. Strange" by Morgan Madder, Kamiakin High School

"Retro Buildings" by Peyton Purvis, Chiawana High School