Winning with Style: Sycamore Art Students Earn High Honors at Shows

Sycamore High School art students made a strong impression this semester, earning top honors at the Kishwaukee College Juried High School Student Art Exhibition and securing first place overall at the I8 Conference Art Show. Works were submitted across a wide range of categories, including drawing, photography, ceramics, and painting.

At the 2025 Juried High School Student Art Exhibition, held February 17–27, Sycamore students brought home four awards. Senior Courtney Richied received Best in Show for her piece “Now You See Me.” Second-place honors went to senior Brenda Cuautle in Mixed Media for “Brain to Heart, Heart to Brain,” senior Hannah Hart in Color Drawing for “Resistance,” and sophomore Samantha Minchala in Black & White Drawing for “The Protector.”

“Receiving Best in Show twice this year is an extraordinary achievement that speaks volumes about our students’ talent and dedication,” Sycamore Art Teacher Samantha Butkus said. “As art teachers, we get a front-row seat to watch creativity, growth, and resilience unfold—but this year, our students truly went above and beyond.”

Just a few weeks later, fourteen Sycamore students showcased their work at the I8 Conference Art Show in early March, where the school earned first place overall. Five students claimed individual first-place finishes, including senior Brianna Van Garsse, who earned both Best in Show and first place in Mixed Media for “Cycle of the Continuing Corvid Cadaver.”

Other first-place winners included junior Briar Schnurr-Trebe in Ceramics Wheel Thrown for “What I’m Left With,” senior Edona Ajdini in Watercolor Painting for “Echos of the Fruit,” senior Ellie Ferguson in Digital Drawing for “Where is My Identity?” and senior Maggie Klein in Oil Painting for “Pull You Closer.”

“Creating original, high-quality artwork is no easy task,” said Joe McCormick, SHS Art teacher. “It takes hours of focused effort, problem-solving, vulnerability, and a willingness to push through challenges. These students did just that. They explored personal ideas, took creative risks, and poured themselves into their work.”

Additional accolades at the I8 Conference included second-place finishes by junior Ray Nguyen in Photography Altered for “Hid To Be Heard,” Hannah Hart in Acrylic Painting for “Resistance,” and junior Niehmah Schnurr in Ceramics Hand-Built for “Widow.” Junior Mona Bahaji rounded out the team’s honors with a third-place award in Color Drawing for “Spectrum of Self.”

“These students are a shining example of what’s possible when young people are given the opportunity to express themselves and rise to the challenge,” art teacher Erin Dewitt added. “Art isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s a powerful way to build empathy, critical thinking, and confidence.”