Hugo Peralta, a junior at Abraham Lincoln High School, received the “Best of Show” in the 2004 Scholastic Art Show’s ceramics and glass category and the Gold Key Award, which is the highest level of achievement on the regional level. Gold Key winning entries proceed to New York for national judging, with final winners sent to Washington, D.C. for exhibition in the Corcoran Gallery following an awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center. Peralta’s piece is “Vase, Calla Lilies and Bird.”

The Scholastic Art Awards - Colorado Regional Program is on display through Saturday, Feb. 7 at The Museum of Outdoor Arts in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway, on the second floor. Scholastic Gold Key, Silver Key and honorable mention winners are showcased in the museum’s indoor galleries and comprise one of the museum’s most popular exhibits each year.

Abraham Lincoln senior Hatty Arenivar won honorable mention in ceramics for her "Gorilla with Bananas,” and junior Yadira Martinez took an honorable mention in the category of "product" for her basket, "Milagro."

Students from three other Denver schools also placed in the awards show. Alexi Pappageorge of South High School was a Gold Key winner, and Denise Cardona of North High School was a Silver Key winner. From the Denver School of the Arts, Gold Key winners in visual arts were Brittany Olson and Erdensyren Tsogtsaikhan. Gold key winners in video cinema were Alex Quinones, Zander Zollo and Arys Subiadur for their movie "LEHM," a claymation. A visual arts Silver Key award went to Stephanie Dimmer. In video cinema, Zander Zollo, Angello Randell, Erica Martinez and Fred Kolough won a Silver Key award for their movie "The Filer." Visual arts honorable mentions went to Sarah Foster, Scott Ferguson, Kelly Olnowich, Karl Poulson and Caitlin Brundrett; Corey Walters and Dylan Banowetz received an honorable mention for their movie "The Cursing Nun."

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have celebrated 80 years as a unique presence in the nation's classrooms by identifying and documenting outstanding achievement of young artists and writers in the visual and literary arts. Since 1923, 12 million students have participated, two million young artists and writers have been recognized, and $20 million in awards and scholarships have been made available.

Since 1994, the program has been administered by the Alliance For Young Artists And Writers, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing inspiration and validation for the next generation of artists and writers.

Each year, 250,000 students in grades 7 through 12 participate through regional programs and 50,000 students receive regional awards and exhibition opportunities. More than 30,000 entries qualify for national adjudication, and 1,100 young artists and writers across the country receive national awards. The Gold Portfolio Award recipients receive $10,000 scholarships, representing the highest level of achievement in The Awards.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 720-423-3414.