CARTHAGE, Mo. — This year’s Helen S. Boylan Art and Writing Contest concluded with a large group of entries from overwhelmingly talented Carthage High School students. Facilitated by the Carthage R-9 School Foundation, the annual contest typically accepts writing entries beginning in early March and concluding at the end of the same month, while art entries are curated the first week in April by CHS art teacher Cheryl Church. As Mrs. Church completes her last year before retirement; she amassed one of the most impressive collections of pieces to date. Entries are placed in four categories, with the option to enter up to two pieces in each category. These categories are 2-dimensional painting, 2-dimensional drawing, 3-dimensional art and photography. Winners are as follows:
2-d Drawing:
1st place: “Heavenly Pagoda” – Emma Adams
2nd place: “Bat this, Bat that” – Grace Carpenter
3rd place: “Wild Rooster” – Zuleima Arreaga
2-d Painting:
1st place: “Moon Lake: – Emma Adams
2nd place: “Antique Afternoon” – Carolina Lopez
3rd place: “Secretary Smooch” – Grace Carpenter
Photography:
1st place: “Beauty” – Ashley Urena
2nd place: “Happy Place” – Emma Adams
3rd place: “Life” – Ashley Urena
3-d Art:
1st place: “Ember” – Reed Whitton
2nd place: “Ridiculous” – Amber Sessions
3rd place: “Flight of Freedom” – Sam Noble
See pictures for the first place finisher in each category
The writing competition allows students at Carthage High School to enter up to two pieces in three categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Essay: Open Subject. This year’s participants showcased incredible talent with many original works. Winners are as follows:
Poetry :
1st place – Girlhood – Jalynn Hoover
2nd place – Dear Mother Earth – Ethan Albrecht
3rd place – Mother, My Mother – Chloe Talbott
Fiction:
1st place – Dear Grandpa – Kate Wagner
2nd place – Salt Water – Hope Roberts
3rd place – Halfway There – Alexis Smith
Essay – Open Subject:
1st place – Art vs. AI: A Silent War – Emma Adams
2nd place – Lindbergh Kidnapping – Reese Lee
3rd place – Always with you, Everywhere – Chloe Talbott
