The Daughters of the American Revolution recognized 20 artists in grades 9-12 in the auditorium during the annual West Shore Academic Awards Ceremony on April 18. The awards ranged from honorable mention to 1st place. 

The DAR hosted the “Sparkling in the Stars” art contest in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the NASA Space Shuttle Program. 

“I’m really proud, but it’s kind of our reputation,” digital art teacher James Finch said. “I know we’re an academic school, but a lot of people don’t realize how great the visual arts program is here. I’m not surprised on how the results turned out. We do this every year.”

Students were given a certificate of achievement. Sophomore and digital art student Aradia Derivi won an award.

“It’s overwhelming really and I honestly did not expect it at all, despite a lot of encouragement from Mr. Finch and my family,” Derivi said. 

A representative from the DAR presented the awards.

“Everybody did so good,” junior and art student Scarlett Edammudalige said. “It was so cool to see everybody’s art, especially the younger grades. Everybody’s just so talented.” 

By Eric Zhang