HOUSTON – Jan. 31, 2008 – Seven Houston-area high school students have been selected as grand-prize winners in the eighth annual Culture Shapers visual arts competition, winning $5,000 each. With more than 1,370 entries, the competition awarded $83,000 to 71 students at a January 31 ceremony held at Westfield High School. In addition to the grand-prize winners, dozens of other finalists received cash prizes ranging from $250 to $2,500.
The competition’s seven categories include Drawing, Electronic Media, Film, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography and Sculpture. Many of the students entered and placed in multiple categories.
Tyler Hunter, a Friendswood High School senior, took home the grand prize in Drawing and placed eighth in Electronic Media. Michael and Ryan Wham displayed healthy sibling rivalry as the home-schooled brothers from The Woodlands placed second and fourth, respectively, in the Film category.
“Visual and performing arts are universal forms of expression that can connect students from all walks of life,” said Ernie Fitzpatrick, Culture Shapers founder and president. “It is not uncommon for schools to honor students who excel in athletics or science. We promote the belief that it is equally important to encourage students to pursue careers in the arts, thus encouraging them to become the ‘culture shapers’ of the future.”
“Participation in the arts promotes critical-thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, key factors that can play into a student’s future success,” said A. Steve Arizpe, executive vice president, client services and chief operating officer of Administaff, one of the competition’s sponsors. “The creativity demonstrated by these young artists is inspiring, and we at Administaff are committed to providing opportunities for them to pursue their artistic and educational goals.”
For all students, placing in the competition took hard work, creativity and dedication. For some, however, it also took overcoming obstacles. Lauren Laumbach, a senior at Kingwood High School, is blind in one eye, but that didn’t stop her from placing fourth in the Painting category. After graduation, she plans to study graphic design and one day hopes to teach deaf children.
Courtney Mayo, a senior at the Woodlands High School won the $1,000 Danny Wood “Heart in Art” award, named in memory of Culture Shapers volunteer Danny Wood. The award recognizes a student who has overcome adversity and exemplifies leadership, service and character. Courtney has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and Celiac Disease, every day is a challenge and she suffers from abdominal pain, severe fatigue and migraines that last as long as two weeks. Courtney has remained determined to beat the odds and she finds time to volunteer more than 100 hours to the National Charity League and the Montgomery County Human Society and tutor fifth grade math. She is also active in the Girl Scouts and puts on puppet shows for the children at her church.
In addition to honoring teen artists, the event also recognized a teacher and an administrator. This year’s “Teacher of the Year” award went to Bob Mosier of the John Cooper School in The Woodlands. This year’s “Administrator of the Year” award went to Sally Doyle of Fort Bend ISD.
Financial support for Culture Shapers is provided by Administaff and The Nathaniel Foundation. Many other area businesses contribute to the program throughout the year with tax-deductible donations and sponsorships. The Culture Shapers visual arts contest, which is judged by arts educators and professionals, has awarded nearly $700,000 to young artists in the last eight years. Additionally, there are frequent mini-contests on the Culture Shapers Web site, www.cultureshapers.com, with prizes ranging from gift certificates to cash prizes.
What is Culture Shapers?
Culture Shapers is an art program open to all high school students in Harris, Waller, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. The program was created by Houston-area community leaders who were motivated to positively impact the lives of high school students after the 1999 tragedy at Columbine High School. To learn more about Culture Shapers, visit www.cultureshapers.com.
Contact: Shawn Hesketh at 281.664.1420 or Toni Harrison at 713.529.2660 for more details!
