A&E

Joliet Central art student wins $10,000 scholarship prize at USF competition

Other students win Best of Show and honorable mentions

Joliet Central High School student Samantha Gonzalez won the $10,000 art and design scholarship grand prize for her drawing at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022.

Joliet Central High School student Samantha Gonzalez won the $10,000 art and design scholarship grand prize for her drawing at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022. (Photo provided)

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

Joliet Central High School student Samantha Gonzalez won the $10,000 art and design scholarship grand prize for her drawing at the recent at University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition, according to a news release from Joliet Township High School District 204.

Four other Joliet Central art students also won awards at the Jan. 15 competition, according to the release.

Joliet Central High School student Liz Lopez earned an honorable mention for her artwork at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022.

Joliet Central High School student Liz Lopez earned an honorable mention for her artwork at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022. (Photo provided)

Karla Rodriguez earned Best of Show for her sculpture, the release said.

Joliet Central High School student Karla Rodriguez earned Best of Show for her sculpture at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022.

Joliet Central High School student Karla Rodriguez earned Best of Show for her sculpture at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022. (Photo provided)

Liz Lopez, Cassandra Pina and Nathaniel Smith earned honorable mentions, the release said.

Joliet Central High School student Cassandra Pina earned an honorable mention for her artwork at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022.

Joliet Central High School student Cassandra Pina earned an honorable mention for her artwork at the University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition in January 2022. (Photo provided)

For information, visit jths.org and stfrancis.edu.

Nathaniel Smith won an honorable mention and $25 for his submission “Forgot My Keys" at the recent University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition.

Nathaniel Smith won an honorable mention and $25 for his submission “Forgot My Keys" at the recent University of St. Francis Art Exhibition & Competition. (Photo provided)






A&EJoliet Central High SchoolUniversity of St. FrancisArtJoliet
Denise Unland

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Denise M. Baran-Unland is the features editor for The Herald-News in Joliet. She covers a variety of human interest stories. She also writes the long-time weekly tribute feature “An Extraordinary Life about local people who have died. She studied journalism at the College of St. Francis in Joliet, now the University of St. Francis.