NNCS Artists Awarded

NORFOLK - Norwood-Norfolk students have put on a performance that would make Picasso proud.

The small school district was well represented at the 2012 Central New York Scholastic Art Awards earlier this month as several students walked away with honors for their work.

High School Principal Robin J. Fetter said nine students, grades 7-12, were awarded with a Gold Key, the highest honor a student can receive.

It was the most awards the district has received at the show, she said.

"Our art program has been improving over the past few years," Ms. Fetter told the Board of Education earlier this week.

Hosted by the Central New York Art Council, the Jan. 19 fair at Onondaga College, Syracuse, featured over 5,000 entrants from schools around the central region of the state.

For over 60 years schools over schools from 13 counties have attended the show, which has grown into one of the largest in the country. Pieces are judged by professional artists, educators and photographers.

Many of the districts at the show feature higher budgets than Norwood-Norfolk, with teachers that specialize in specific art categories. There, teachers will teach just ceramics or painting, Ms. Fetter said, making the Flyers feat even more impressive.

"Our students were competitive amongst these other schools that have all these opportunities," Ms. Fetter said.

Several students took home the event's highest honors including high school students Damion Taylor, who won four separate awards, Lauren Green, Kayley Phillips and Karina Preston. Middle school students Amber Stickney and Abigail Tessier also took home the coveted Gold Key.

Six students were given a Silver Key, the second highest distinction, and 14 more were named to the honorable mention for their work. The award winning pieces will be on display at the college until March 2.

But the trip turned out to be memorable for the students for more than just their record setting performance.

For some, it was their first trip to Syracuse, Ms. Fetter said. One student had never even been on an escalator.

So after receiving their awards, the group toured the mall and took in the sights around the big city. And their arts skills were matched only by their behavior, she reported.

"I was really very proud of them," Ms. Fetter said.