Artists at Bob Jones High School have received an endorsement of their skill in visual arts by one of the country’s most prestigious arts organizations.

Artwork by Julie Bartlow (CONTRIBUTED)

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has announced its 2012-2013 Scholastic Art regional awards. Numerous students at Bob Jones were awarded the highest recognition, the Gold Key, along with Silver Key and honorable mention honors.

This national competition started as a minor contest in 1923 with six individuals competing for a $5 prize. Today, more than 90,000 students in grades 7-12 across the United States submit more than 185,000 works of art and writing in 28 categories (scholastic.com).

Bob Jones students who earned the Gold Key for their drawings are Sirfino Bishop, Namena Bojang, Cheyenne Lugo, Tiffany Nguyen, Megan O’Rourke (two Gold Key citations), Michaela Porter, Morgan Simrell, Olivia Skillern (who submitted a painting), Annabelle Smith and Sydney Taylor. These students will advance to the national competition in New York City this spring.

Receiving Silver Key honors were Rashaan Denton, drawing; Meredith O’Malley, drawing; and Samantha Soliz, comic art. Honorable mentions went to Ashley Acker, painting; Cheyenne Lugo (three honorable mentions), drawings; Jacob Sims, painting; and Olivia Skillern (two honorable mentions), paintings.

In addition, Scholastic Art recognizes students with outstanding portfolios. “A portfolio includes eight pieces of work that have a common theme or style and also includes a written artist’s statement,” Robin Lakso said. Lakso, Jennifer Norton and Katie Craft teach art at Bob Jones.

Artwork by Megan O'Rourke (CONTRIBUTED)

Gold Key winners for portfolio at Bob Jones are Julie Bartlow, Rachel Harold, Jessica Jenkins and Nick Monroe. Jake Sims and Meredith O’Malley earned the Silver Key for their portfolios.

Students who advance in Scholastic Art contests can have their work exhibited and published, along with the chance to receive scholarship offers. Industry leaders judge the student works, which will be on exhibit in New York City and other cities across the country.