FHHS Visual Art Students Honored at State-Wide High School Art Competition

L-R: Teacher Andy Anderson, Lucas Chevalier (Senior) and Soma Andrews (Junior), on the steps of the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Olympia – Contributed photo

Friday Harbor High School is proud to announce that two art students, Soma Andrews and Lucas Chevalier are State Winners of the 46th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show.

Soma Andrews (Junior) and Lucas Chevalier (Senior) attended a reception in the state capital with their Teacher, Andy Anderson, where they received their “Judges Choice” awards on Friday May 17th, 2019 at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction OSPI) located in the Old Capitol Building in Olympia.

The Superintendent’s High School Art Show is an annual event co-hosted by OSPI and the Washington Art Education Association. High school students from all over the state participate in this artistic celebration each year.

Friday Harbor High School’s Art Teacher Andy Anderson received a letter from Anne Banks, OSPI’s Learning and Teaching Supervisor for the Arts:

“Congratulations on having two of your students, Soma Andrews and Lucas Samuel Chevalier, recognized as State Winners in the 46th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show! This is a high honor for the students, teacher, school, and your district. Students first compete at the Regional ESD show, where the top judged artworks move on to our state show. After several rounds of judging and selections, fifteen winners and six honorable mention awardees were identified. This is a huge accomplishment.”

The fifteen winning artwork pieces will be added to the permanent collection at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction or at one of the participating partner state organization offices that includes the State Board of Education, Professional Educator Standards Board, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington State School Directors’ Association, and the Association of Washington School Principals.

FHHS Art Teacher Andrew Anderson stated, “I am very proud of Lucas and Soma. Their hard work and dedication really paid off. Both students spoke eloquently about their work and the import role Art has played in their lives. I really appreciated their families catching the red eye and driving through city traffic to attend this event. Friday Harbor High School was the only High School in the State of Washington with two winners. This is a significant accomplishment when you consider we are competing against some of the largest schools in the state.”

“Congratulations to all of the artists,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. “Their incredible work reminds us of the power of the arts and art education. The arts provide our students with keys to understanding the world around them, and strategies for learning, interpreting, and expressing their thoughts.”

Additional information and a display of the 2019 state winners’ art may be found at http://www.k12.wa.us/Arts/ArtShow/default.aspx

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