BEST IN SHOW
GABRIELA C. - "YOU CAN'T STOP THE GIRL" BY BEBE REXHA
Notes from the artists: This dance is a contemporary dance to the song "You Can't Stop the Girl" by Bebe Rexha. The lyrics to this song mean a lot to me as a 7th-grade girl because I am starting to understand a lot about the world that women have had to live in and all of the obstacles that they had to overcome ("They tryna pull their wings off So, they can't fly").
My mom is a high school teacher and a single mom, and she works really hard. She has taught me a lot about many of the issues women have had to bravely face, like when my Grandma had to fight to keep a department store credit card open in the 1980s after her husband died because she no longer had a man's name to put on the account. ("And, oh, but she's so brave, though Just like a tornado She's taking us by storm") She got to keep the card after she told the manager she wouldn't have to pay the $300 amount on the card since it was in a dead man's name, but if she got a new card in her name she would pay it. ("They tryna take our voices They tryna make our choices So we scream loud, loud, loud")
The last year has been amazing for women from America Ferrera's Barbie movie monologue to Caitlin Clark's record-setting season playing basketball, and Taylor Swift is breaking all kinds of records with her last album release. I know women have more to achieve but I think there's no stopping us now. You can't stop the girl. ("I know you feel the lightnin' And it's so excitin' So, here we come").
FOUNDER'S PICK
ALAN R. - HERITAGE
Notes from the artist: The old bronze vessels reflect the spiritual aspirations from the early ages. Throughout history, they have become tangible symbols of the interaction between art and ritual. I had a particular intention when choosing this particular bronze vase and old artist’s brushes for my subject. This vase belonged to my great-grandmother. It means a lot to me as it has the family's provenance behind it. The old paintbrushes for me depict my experience in making art. I've been painting for as long as I remember myself and it has become an integral part of my life. In this artwork, I combined my passion for painting and my family heritage and therefore it's very special to me.
PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS 1ST PLACE WINNERS- HIGH DIVISION
JOCELYN E. – REPRESENTING LORAIN COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE
My showcase piece is dancing and it allows me to glorify God and express my emotions without using words just movement and facial expressions.
Sisters
Burnout
GRACE K. - "SISTERS" AND "BURNOUT"
Notes from the artist: "Sisters" is a graphite drawing that I created of my siblings and I. I wanted to draw something personal to me. I've been lucky to have such a great relationship with my family. This piece shows the bond that sisters share and the three girls chatting and joking around.
Burnout is a portfolio piece that depicts a teen sitting on the floor and experiencing burnout. This is a recurring feeling that I have as a senior in high school, and a feeling that I'm sure others have related to at one point or another.
PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS 1ST PLACE WINNERS- MIDDLE DIVISION
GABRIELA C. - "YOU CAN'T STOP THE GIRL" BY BEBE REXHA
Notes from the artists: This dance is a contemporary dance to the song "You Can't Stop the Girl" by Bebe Rexha. The lyrics to this song mean a lot to me as a 7th-grade girl because I am starting to understand a lot about the world that women have had to live in and all of the obstacles that they had to overcome ("They tryna pull their wings off So, they can't fly").
My mom is a high school teacher and a single mom, and she works really hard. She has taught me a lot about many of the issues women have had to bravely face, like when my Grandma had to fight to keep a department store credit card open in the 1980s after her husband died because she no longer had a man's name to put on the account. ("And, oh, but she's so brave, though Just like a tornado She's taking us by storm") She got to keep the card after she told the manager she wouldn't have to pay the $300 amount on the card since it was in a dead man's name, but if she got a new card in her name she would pay it. ("They tryna take our voices They tryna make our choices So we scream loud, loud, loud")
The last year has been amazing for women from America Ferrera's Barbie movie monologue to Caitlin Clark's record-setting season playing basketball, and Taylor Swift is breaking all kinds of records with her last album release. I know women have more to achieve but I think there's no stopping us now. You can't stop the girl. ("I know you feel the lightnin' And it's so excitin' So, here we come").
NUNAAM S. – MS. WEST
Notes from the artist: This is a portrait of my 7th-grade math teacher, Ms. West, who is obsessed with Batman. In my advanced art class, we were required to make a linoleum relief portrait, so I chose to make my artwork of my math teacher, but I also transformed her into her favorite hero. My teachers say that this piece is excellent because she is immediately recognizable to everyone despite the addition of a mask covering the majority of her face. For me, I am proud that my artwork tells a story; the title of this piece is "Criminal Blood." I called it "Criminal Blood" because the red color of the paper looks like blood and makes the viewer imagine that Batman just got out of a bloody fight.
PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS 1ST PLACE WINNERS- ELEMENTARY DIVISION
DINMA U. - WON’T HE DO IT?
Notes from the artist: I like to dance and sing because I have been doing both for almost my whole life. And I love to do that because it makes me feel good and also, other people. So, I want to use my talent to make people happy.
ADRIANE J. - SNOWY NIGHT
Notes from the artist: Snowy night when all is calm and quiet. Families are asleep in their homes (paraphrased by the parent, as told by the applicant).
ART TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
ACHILLES MORALES - URBAN LEAGUE LORAIN COUNTY
Achilles Morales is the Director of Education and Youth Development at the Lorain County Urban League. Born and raised in San Antonio, TX, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. He relocated to Northeast Ohio in 2016 to work as a Community Organizer in Lorain County. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in developing strategies that have significantly enhanced community outreach, engagement, education, and health equity in the area.
Currently, Achilles works with Lorain County youth, offering college readiness programs, workshops on racial justice and advocacy, and health education initiatives. In his leisure time, he enjoys tending to his plants, binge-watching Star Wars, playing Animal Crossing, and rock climbing.
