LaBrae High School sophomore Rhylin Barker earned a Silver Key award earlier this month at the national Scholastic Art Awards competition in New York City.

“At first, I didn’t entirely grasp the magnitude of this achievement because I don’t create art for the awards; I create art as a way to express myself. I do understand that this award is an incredible accomplishment, but to me, it means that my art is liked by others and that is what is really important to me,” Rhylin said.

Her instructor, Katie Kistler, said she feels Rhylin’s accomplishment can motivate other students in her program to continue to work for a similar goal.

“Seeing one of the students who sits next to them in class succeed on this national level creates a tangible realization that they can do the same,” Kistler said. “Rhylin’s exemplary commitment to her artwork proves that, unlike in other disciplines, mastery is not always shown with speed yet with unquantifiable hours of thought and dedication. She is the archetype in any art classroom and naturally elevates those around her. Her accomplishment motivates other students because they watched it happen.”

A regional competition at Youngstown State University in late January drew students in grades 7-12 from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties, and tested their artistic abilities throughout the first half of the school year as they used various mediums to create art their teachers could consider worthy of submission to the show.

MAHONING COUNTY WINNERS

Gina Misel, a senior at Boardman High School, and Karina Collins, a senior at Ursuline High School, will have their artwork displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City this summer after both earned Gold Keys at the national competition.

Gina also earned an American Vision Award for her mixed media piece titled “As the Stars Align.” It was among only five nominated for the American Vision Award from our region, and was judged against the “best of the best” national vision nominees from across the country. Only the top 2% of artwork entered receives National Gold, according to Josh MacMillan, a Hubbard High School art teacher who is the regional coordinator for the Scholastic Art Awards.

The Scholastic Art Competition is highly selective, with more than 110,000 students entered and nearly 310,000 works considered across the country. A very small percentage, only an approximate 2,800, earn a national award, MacMillan said.

Gina’s work is among those that will be featured with the 102nd class of Scholastic Art National Medalists at the 2025 Awards Ceremony on June 11 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“As an educator, there is nothing better than to see your students succeed at such a high level. When they enter your room as freshman and you get to cultivate that talent for a few years, it is so rewarding. I also love seeing them get the recognition they deserve. A lot of people don’t understand how much time and effort goes into honing your craft as an art student. They are some of the hardest working students in the building,” Burnside said.

“This award motivates me because it’s a reminder that I’m capable of achieving anything I desire for my future. After high school, I plan to continue my art career and grow as an artist while attending Youngstown State University for Interdisciplinary Studio Art,” Gina said.

Karina’s teacher is Alana Campbell, who said she pushed Karina to grow as an artist over the years.

“Karina is a true artist. She has such an intense desire to always do better, be better, and try new things along with fine tuning her niche. Her motivation is herself. She is always trying to create the next best thing,” Campbell said.

MacMillan agreed.

“The hardest obstacle for a high school art student is to make work that doesn’t look like a class project and that is what Karina does. When Alana says she is a true artist, she 100% is an artist. Even though it wasn’t displayed this year at Scholastics, it will be incredible for so many across the United States to be able to see her work at the MET in New York City,” MacMillan said.

“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities Mrs. Campbell and Josh have given me to really get to this point in my artistic career. I’m honored to be able to see all the other incredible artists and all the opportunities they’ll have,” Karina said.

MacMillan said great art students are the result of great art teachers who truly love their work.

“Knowing Kate, Katie, and Alana for the years I have as a part of the community it was no surprise their students consistently achieve at the levels they do. The kids are not only led by phenomenal teachers, but the highest character of female role models they could ask for,” MacMillan said. “Each year I am amazed by what these kids create and what Gina, Karina, and Rhylin have done to represent the Mahoning Valley makes everyone in the art community proud.”