JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Geary County Schools USD 475 is proud to announce that Junction City High School students D’Marion Swift, Alana Gaytan, Isabelle Thomas, Oliver Lucas, Sophia Mitchell and Nadia Anthony were recently honored for their artwork in the 2025 Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art Awards presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers.
More than 2,200 artworks were submitted across Eastern Kansas, with only 490 receiving honors. Overall, the Blue Jays earned one Gold Key honor, four Silver Key awards and had two honorable mention selections. Swift was not only awarded Gold Key for his drawing illustration title, The Light, but he also brought home Silver Key honors in painting. Other Silver Key honorees included Gaytan in editorial cartoon, Thomas in drawing illustration and Lucas in digital art. Finally, Mitchell and Anthony claimed honorable mention accolades in editorial cartoon and comic art, respectively.
All Gold and Silver Key art pieces will be on display and featured in the Mark Arts Youth Gallery and School of Creativity Gallery in Wichita from February 7 through March 29. The galleries are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Students, families and community members are also invited to attend the 2025 Eastern Kansas Scholastic Opening Celebration to view the Art Awards Exhibition at Mark Arts in Wichita on Friday, Feb. 7, beginning at 4 p.m.
The Scholastic Art Awards is one of the oldest and most prestigious national art competitions for high school students across the nation. It is the largest and longest-running recognition program for young artists in the United States. The contest provides an opportunity for student artists to be recognized, exhibited, and awarded scholarships. It is considered a huge honor for students to receive recognition as each piece is reviewed by a panel of art professionals based on the originality, technical skill, and emergence of a personal vision in their work.
Gold Key Award
• D’Marion Swift: Drawing Illustration, The Light
Silver Key Award
• D’Marion Swift: Painting, Dissolve
• Alana Gaytan: Editorial Cartoon sponsored by The Herb Block Foundation, #MMIW
• Isabelle Thomas: Drawing Illustration, Just One More
Oliver Lucas: Digital Art, Completely Giving Up
Honorable Mention
• Sophia Mitchell: Editorial Cartoon sponsored by The Herb Block Foundation, Who am I
• Nadia Anthony: Comic Art, Growth