Highland art students awarded scholarships, gift cards 

Several Highland High School seniors were recognized for their talents at this year’s Visual Art Festival Senior Show, hosted by the Educational Service Center of Medina County and the Medina County Art League.

Brooke Scranton and Megan Austin were presented with a 2020 Continuing Art Education scholarship from the Medina County Art League. Scranton, who placed second in the senior show, was awarded $700 and plans to attend Kent State University. Austin received $550 for her third-place honor and also plans to attend Kent State.   

The ESC of Medina County expanded its awards this year for both portfolios and individual entries and, for the first time, offered a scholarship in conjunction with the Visual Art Festival. Lily Coss was awarded first place and presented with a $130 gift card. She plans to attend the University of Akron in the fall. 

Individual art awards were also presented to Alexis Divis for “Best Use of Line,” and Margaret Houska for “Most Expressive.” Each received a $25 gift card. Divis will attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, while Houska will attend Arizona State University. 

“Once again, the quality and creativity were impressive, so the judges’ decisions were difficult,” said Medina County Art League Scholarship Committee Chair Janet Baran. “We upgraded our judging criteria to better represent the requirements of Advanced Placement programs and Scholastic Arts.

“Of course, Art League members were very disappointed that the award ceremony had to be canceled, because they love seeing the artwork and meeting our scholarship recipients. The winners’ works have been posted on our website and on our Facebook page. They are very deserving and they are an inspiration.”  This year, 47 students from five Medina County school districts entered 173 works of art into the show.