The school’s graphic design students nearly swept the competition in the Strawbridge Art League show March 2. Taking home nine of 11 awards, including the top 3 finishers in the senior high category, West Shore also had one winner in the junior-high division.

Christina Lawson, Christian Hayes, Brian McMillan, Emma Remonsellez-Conde, Sophia Bailey, Gillian Weaver, and Hanna Sheinman all took merit awards. Grace Bryant finished third, James Crown placed second and Regan Willner took first.

Graphic design teacher Jim Finch said he was impressed by the showing and expects more of the same in coming shows. Finch encourages all of his advanced students to enter shows, and given the number of awards being won by West Shore students, participation in shows will rise.

Finch reiterated that judges are always looking for unique styles of art, and that any student’s art can win because each judge has a different taste. This is one reason why Finch gives his students increasingly creative opportunities as they go through the year. As shown last week, he thinks it’s working well.

By Sanjay Ramchandani