ISD 728 Artists Honored for Work in Scholastic Art Awards

ISD 728 students at the District’s three traditional high schools competed and participated in the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Competition and were recognized with multiple regional awards. 

The Scholastic Art Awards program is the nation's oldest and most prestigious student arts competition, running annually for 100 plus years, since 1923. 

“Recognition in this program is an honor that speaks to the commitment these students have made to excellence in the arts,” said Rogers High art teacher Mark Pederson. 

Rogers High School 

A slideshow of the Rogers winners can be found here.

2026 Honorable Mention:

• Bethany Brehmer (12), “Muffins”, Acrylic Painting
• Bethany Brehmer (12), “Waverly”, Acrylic Painting
• Sydney Cole (10), “Pollinator”, Pastel Drawing
• Sydney Cole (10), “Catch of the Day”, Charcoal Drawing
• Jaden Dombrowski (12), “Codependence”, Jewelry
• Hannah Ellwein (9), “The Crown of Confidence”, Jewelry
• Lucy Gilmore (12), Going to the Sun Road”, Acrylic Painting
• Lily Grubbs (10), “Peach Rings”, Charcoal Drawing
• Adison Hines (11), “Lily Pond Monet”, Pastel Drawing
• Ellinor Johnson (12), “Hands, Hearts and Havesacks”, Charcoal Drawing
• Finn Larson (9), “Charcoal Skull”, Charcoal Drawing
• Ben Littana (11), “Draft Day”, Color Pencil Drawing
• Lauren Mettling (12), “Sasha”, Acrylic Painting
• Lauren Pervenanze (12), “Cat’s Eye”, Charcoal Drawing
• Hailey St. Martin (11), “In Another Life”, Acrylic Painting
• Addison Thielke (11), “Abstract Green Gem”, Jewelry
• Noemi Thyne (11), “Busy Season”, Charcoal Drawing
• Gretchen Woell (9), “The Wooden Body”, Charcoal Drawing
• Ayden Vang (10), “Him to Her”, Color Pencil Drawing

2026 Silver Key Award Winners:

• Sophia Bowers (12), “Chicken Wing”, Pastel Drawing
• Bethany Brehmer (12), “Expression”, Pastel Drawing
• Sydney Cole (10), “My Brother”, Graphite Drawing
• Avery Dorian (12), “Evan”, Charcoal Drawing
• Jordyn Harvey (10), “Pick Up the Pen”, Digital Art
• Alizandra Hernandez (9), “Welcome to the Real World”, Acrylic Painting
• Ellinor Johnson (12), “SS Federal Dart” Pastel Drawing
• Lauryn Pervenanze (11), “Eye Contact”, Pastel Drawing

2026 Gold Key Award Winners:

Jasper Foley (12), “Swimming Thoughts”, Acrylic Painting

Alizandra Hernandez (9), “Three Seasons”, Watercolor Painting

Elk River High School 

ERHS had 38 student artworks recognized for the 2026 Minnesota Scholastic Arts Awards. Art Educators of Minnesota announced that a panel of creative professionals judged and awarded artwork for its outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice and vision.

Here is a complete list of the award winners (artist, title, award):

2026 Gold Key Award Winners (images below):

• Simon Bicek, “The Elegance of a Bottle,” (Portfolio)
• Simon Bicek, “Faithful Falls,” 
• Kayden Collins, “You’re Holding Me Like Porcelain,” 
• Matisse Hahn, “Black Sand Beach,” 
• Sophia Hamilton, “The Detail in a Life,” 
• Riley Hora, “The Water Waves a White Flag,” 
• Brynleigh Loiselle, “Black Lace Joy Pendant,” 
• Emerson Swanson, “Cabin is for S’mores,” 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Hidden Culture,” (Portfolio) 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Diving into Beauty, (Portfolio) 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Under the Umbrella,” 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Wrapped in Culture,” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 Silver Key Award Winners:

• Madison Beckman, “Floral Eclipse,” 
• Kayden Collins, “She Wore it for the Soldier,” 
• Alyssa Fleahman, “My Bleeding Heart,” 
• Matisse Hahn, “Beyond the Form,” (Portfolio) 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Surface-Level,” 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Skin Tattoo,” 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Eternal Youth,” 
• Estella Yanquoi, “Bloodline,” 
• Isabella Peralta, “A Sniff Away,” 

2026 Honorable Mention:

• Madison Beckman, “Embers Beneath Water,” 
• Simon Bicek, “Burnt,” 
• Simon Bicek, “Shattered Fates,”
• Simon Bicek, “From Ashes,”
• Kayden Collins, “Natural Defenses,”
• Megan Dahlstrom, “Flowers,”
• Cameron Doran, “Held in Motion,”
• Matisse Hahn, “Coffee Kit in Green,”
• Matisse Hahn, “Shadows,”
• Matisse Hahn, “Triple-sided Triptych,”
• Nathaniel Kimoni, “Suna,”
• Nathaniel Kimoni, “Man Made Mantis,”
• Cody Lease, “Blue Spotted Bottle,”
• Emerson Swanson, “The Price of Progress,”
• Kelly Wadsen, “Honeycomb Platter,”
• Estella Yanquoi, “Eternity,”
• Estella Yanquoi, “Can I Call You Rose?”

 

 

 

Elk River Gold Key Winners; Back Row: Matisse Hahn, Kayden Collins, Riley Hora, Estella Yanquoi, Simon Bicek; Front Row: Sophia Hamilton, Em Swanson, Brynleigh Loiselle.

Zimmerman High School 

Finally, check out the slideshow featuring ZHS Art students who placed in the Scholastic Art Awards.  I

ZHS 2026 Scholastic Art Award winners include:

• Addison Riebe
• Quinn Strege
• Brooke Wendorf
• Quinn Strege
• Christina Rotz - Gold Key winner 

Gold Key Award winning entries advance to the National Competition. Results for the National Awards will be announced on March 25. Congratulations to all of our ISD 728 student artist participants!