By Makanalani Yamanoha

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Three students were awarded the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for their artistic and creative ability, with Sophomore Lawrence Castro and Sophomore Violet Fox in photography and Senior Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez in creative arts, each will be publicly displayed at the Hawaii State Art Museum on Feb 16 to March 29.

The awards are held every year and initiated by all schools in the state. In the Photography, Castro received Gold and Fox earned Silver, while Gonzalez was awarded two Silver’s and a Gold in the Art category.

“I can’t explain, it is like I want to cry. I still can’t believe I won something and I am proud of myself,” said Castro, continuing, “I never won anything 1st place. I honestly thought I would have not have won at all but I guess it happened.”

Similar with Castro, Ganzalez was also a first time winner. “I think it is really good because throughout high school, I never won any Scholastic awards and this is the first time I think that I got a gold for the portfolio,” Gonzalez said. He submitted nine art pieces and a portfolio and of the nine his “Self Portrait” won gold.

Fox did not participate in the in the scholastic before this year, however with the help of Sandell, she will continue photography. “I kind of encouraged her because when I looked at (her) picture it was a really impact picture. It just caught my eye so I told her to put it in and she got silver,” Photography teacher Sandell said.

The process for applicants to submit their work will vary by teacher however the does not have to follow a exact theme for the award. Graphics Teacher, Ruth Ravina-Koethe only suggest to the students to enter if she feels their artwork meets her standards. “I look for high craftsmanship and I think originality is very important and some kind of personal connection. I think those are the key things to a great piece of artwork,” Ravina-Koethe said.

Sandell allows her students to choose if they want to participate in the competition but she also wants her students to enter so they would become better artist. “I (submit student’s artwork) for their experience. I want to show the work they do and second, I do it for the students to know how it is like to compete,” stated Sandell.

All three students plan to continue their work as artist, Castro and Fox hopes to enter the competition next and Gonzalez will take his art with him as he will graduate this year.