Aldine ISD Art Students Shine at State VASE
Thirteen Aldine ISD students — one student had two qualified artworks — advanced from the regional event to the State Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) held April 4-5 at Bryan High School. Of the AISD students that competed, four students received an Exemplary rating. One AISD student who earned an Exemplary rating had her work elevated to Distinguished rating and received the coveted Gold Seal medallion. Nearly 1,500 entries advanced to the state event.
At the state event 1,065 artworks were awarded an All-State Superior rating and 150 artworks received Distinguished status with the prized Gold Seal medallion.
The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) has sponsored the Visual Art Scholastic Event, one of the largest curricular competitions in the nation, since 1994. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the State VASE contest. Only academically eligible senior high school students may compete at the regional and state VASE events. The artworks are judged to the degree each demonstrates originality of concept, technical expertise, and understanding of the essential elements, as well as the interpretation of the student’s stated intent.
To compete at the State VASE, students across the state had to advance from their local Regional VASE competitions. At the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Regional VASE, Aldine ISD had 204 artworks receive a Superior rating with 13 students and 14 artworks advancing to the State VASE.
A group photo of students that competed at State VASE including those from MacArthur High School.
Professional TAEA jurors evaluate each student’s artwork at the area, regional and state VASE events using a rating standard to designate the quality of work.
As students advance from the regional level to the state event, the judging system becomes much more rigorous. At the state level the following rating system is used:
[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Rating 5 Distinguished (given only to Gold Seal artwork)[/li] [li] Rating 4 Exemplary (in meeting the criteria) [/li][/ul] [ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Rating 3 Superior (in meeting the criteria)[/li] [li] Rating 2 Excellent (in meeting the criteria) [/li][/ul] [ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Rating 1 Accomplished (in meeting the criteria)[/li][/ul]The “Gold Seal” medallion is the top state award presented to Distinguished works of art chosen by the state jury panel. Yanely Cisneros from Nimitz High School received the Gold Seal award for her artwork entitled “Onions.”
Jazzman Washington from Nimitz High had two pieces advance to State VASE.
According to Joey Doyle, AISD program director of visual arts, the following students received an Exemplary rating and medallion at the State VASE, which also earned them All-State Superior ratings:
MacArthur High School
Student — Carlos Romano
Medium — Mixed Media
Teacher — Charlee Rogers
Student — Juanita Flores
Medium — Sculpture
Teacher — Letha Guillory
Nimitz High School
Students — Jazzman Washington
Medium — Sculpture
Teacher — Leslie Rowney
Student — Yanely Cisneros
Medium — Drawing
Teacher — Leslie Rowney
The State Visual Arts Scholastic Event is the highlight of the VASE events. Medals are awarded to those students receiving a Superior (Rating 4) rating in each division at the regional event and medallions are awarded to those students receiving an Exemplary (Rating 4) rating at the state event.
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
