Sixteen Joliet Central High School Students Earn Over $2.9 Million in Scholarships at Illinois High School Art Exhibition
Joliet Central High School students Fernanda Angeles, Esparanza Arriaga, Esme Bryson, Angel DuBose, Yuvia Hernandez, Tommy Jemilo, Johnny Juarez, Maria Krumdirk, CJ Littlejohn, Carter Metz, Emily Mounts, Savanna Newman, Eduardo Patino Perales, Ingrid Pizano, Mya Solorzano, and Makyah Stallings have been selected to showcase their artwork at the prestigious 12th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition (IHSAE), while earning their share of more than $108 million in college scholarships, and participating among the top 1,000 student artists selected from over 125 high schools across Illinois.
Selection for participation in the Exhibition comes with an impressive award of $2,980,000 in scholarship offers to the Joliet Central students, with more scholarship opportunities still being processed at the time of the event. Their achievements reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also the guidance and inspiration provided by their art teachers, Nyssa Grzyb and Rachel LaVine.
"We were incredibly proud of our students and the incredible talent they demonstrated," said Nyssa Grzyb, art teacher at Joliet Central High School. "This exhibition will be the culmination of their hard work, creativity, and passion. It was an honor to see their art recognized on such a prestigious platform, while earning such a large sum in scholarship offers. I’m excited to see the doors this will open for them in their future art careers."
In addition to this outstanding group of students, Aron Chimmy, a Joliet Central student, won the Lewis Fine Arts Early College Program Award. This prestigious scholarship, presented to a select group of high school artists who submit portfolios through the ArtConnectEd network, recognizes Aron's exceptional talent and creativity. “The faculty was particularly impressed by the technical quality and innovation of his artwork. As part of his award, Aron will receive a full tuition waiver for the Summer Art & Design Camp, a 4-day multifaceted creative experience designed to help students refine their skills, work with talented faculty, and immerse themselves in art and design,” said Grzyb.
The IHSAE, held from March 14th through April 18th at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, is Illinois' largest and most highly regarded high school art exhibition. It is also considered the gold standard for student art exhibitions nationwide, drawing over 4,000 attendees, including students, teachers, college representatives, and school district administrators. The public opening of the exhibition, will take place on Sunday, April 13th, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, featuring more than 500 senior artworks, including those from Joliet Central. The event is a significant opportunity for the students to gain exposure and connect with more than 40 college and university representatives from across the country.
The IHSAE celebrated not only the artistic achievements of Illinois high school students but also the invaluable role of art educators, who work tirelessly to support the next generation of artists. This exhibition was a testament to the power of creativity in shaping futures, and Joliet Central High School’s students led the way.
For more information about the Illinois High School Art Exhibition and to attend the event, visit www.ihsae.org.
View Joliet Central IHSAE Photos
About the IHSAE
ArtConnectED is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the creative educational landscape for high school students. It connects students and teachers to a variety of exhibitions, opportunities, and programs while advocating for the power of art in education. Through partnerships with art schools, colleges, universities, and more than 125 high schools, ArtConnectED celebrates and rewards the artistic talents of Illinois high school students.
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