Whitko Art Students In Lilly Center For Lakes And Streams Contest
April 17, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.
SOUTH WHITLEY – The Whitko High School art students competed in the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams 16th Annual Student Art Contest and were awarded five of the top six awards available in their categories.
This year’s award recipients were: in the senior and junior categories, juniors Emma Morse, Caitlin Beer and Alena Hindbaugh, who placed first, second and third, respectively. In the sophomore and freshman category, sophomores Autumn Deneve and Vera Mabon were awarded first and second place.
Each year, the Lilly Center Art Contest receives work from students in grades four through 12, who attend Kosciusko County schools. Local waterways are featured to raise awareness and appreciation for Kosciusko County lakes, ponds, rivers and streams through artistic expression. This year’s contest theme was “Wonders of the Water."
The five Whitko artists with winning entries receive cash prizes, an exhibit opportunity in The Alley, Warsaw, and will be featured on a greeting card design.
Pictured is “Curiosity in Reflection” by Emma Morse. Photo ProvidedWhitko High School art teacher Daniel Malicki said, “Having success is hard to do, but consistently doing it is even harder,” adding he is proud of all his students’ pursuit for excellence year after year in this contest.
Artwork was evaluated by Grace College Art Department judges, who were looking for creativity, artistic merit, compatibility of any wildlife with its habitat, and depiction of the theme.
The 2024-25 art competition season brought more than 30 awards, recognitions and honors for the Whitko High School art students.
International: Five awards - one bronze medal and four medals of excellence for the 10 pieces sent.
National: Three judged entries.
Regional: 15 student awards and recognitions – three Gold Keys, four Silver Keys, six honorable mentions and two museum purchases – and the Outstanding Educator Award.
State: Three awards – two first-places and one honorable mention of the eight awards available.
County: Five awards – Two first places, two second- and one third-place.
Awards went to Emma Morse, first place, Curiosity in Reflection; Caitlin Beer, second place, Reflections of Calm; Alena Hindbaugh, third place, Hidden Beauty; Autumn Deneve, first place, You Otter Know; and Vera Mabon, second place, River Fishing.
Pictured is "River Fishing" by Vera Mabon. Photo Provided.
Picutred is "Hidden Beauty" by Alena Hindbaugh. Photo Provided.
Pictured is "You Otter Know by Autumn Deneve. Photo Provided.
SOUTH WHITLEY – The Whitko High School art students competed in the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams 16th Annual Student Art Contest and were awarded five of the top six awards available in their categories.
This year’s award recipients were: in the senior and junior categories, juniors Emma Morse, Caitlin Beer and Alena Hindbaugh, who placed first, second and third, respectively. In the sophomore and freshman category, sophomores Autumn Deneve and Vera Mabon were awarded first and second place.
Each year, the Lilly Center Art Contest receives work from students in grades four through 12, who attend Kosciusko County schools. Local waterways are featured to raise awareness and appreciation for Kosciusko County lakes, ponds, rivers and streams through artistic expression. This year’s contest theme was “Wonders of the Water."
The five Whitko artists with winning entries receive cash prizes, an exhibit opportunity in The Alley, Warsaw, and will be featured on a greeting card design.
Pictured is “Curiosity in Reflection” by Emma Morse. Photo ProvidedWhitko High School art teacher Daniel Malicki said, “Having success is hard to do, but consistently doing it is even harder,” adding he is proud of all his students’ pursuit for excellence year after year in this contest.
Artwork was evaluated by Grace College Art Department judges, who were looking for creativity, artistic merit, compatibility of any wildlife with its habitat, and depiction of the theme.
The 2024-25 art competition season brought more than 30 awards, recognitions and honors for the Whitko High School art students.
International: Five awards - one bronze medal and four medals of excellence for the 10 pieces sent.
National: Three judged entries.
Regional: 15 student awards and recognitions – three Gold Keys, four Silver Keys, six honorable mentions and two museum purchases – and the Outstanding Educator Award.
State: Three awards – two first-places and one honorable mention of the eight awards available.
County: Five awards – Two first places, two second- and one third-place.
Awards went to Emma Morse, first place, Curiosity in Reflection; Caitlin Beer, second place, Reflections of Calm; Alena Hindbaugh, third place, Hidden Beauty; Autumn Deneve, first place, You Otter Know; and Vera Mabon, second place, River Fishing.
Pictured is "River Fishing" by Vera Mabon. Photo Provided. Picutred is "Hidden Beauty" by Alena Hindbaugh. Photo Provided. Pictured is "You Otter Know by Autumn Deneve. Photo Provided.