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Oak Harbor High School Art and Career & Technical Education Students Recognized for Achievement

Posted Date: 5/22/25 (7:40 PM)
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A group of students and adults pose for a photo, with text indicating special recognition from Oak Harbor City Council.

Oak Harbor High School students were recently recognized by the Oak Harbor City Council for an extraordinary year of student achievement in the arts and Career & Technical Education.  From visual art to video production and graphic design, students have demonstrated outstanding talent, creativity, and dedication with honors spanning regional, state, and national competitions. We are proud of the following students for their achievements!

Scholastic Art Awards
Three students earned prestigious Gold Key awards—qualifying them for national consideration—out of 30,000 entries across five states:
  • Christian Fortune – “Fort Nugent Park Creek”
  • Lillika Taitano – “An オレンジ flavored day”
  • Hannah Roberts – “Freedom’s Duality”
A black and white drawing depicts a forest scene with a small stream.
A child enjoys an orange slice, eyes closed in delight.
A bird soars through a colorful sky filled with fluffy clouds and a setting sun.
Several others received Honorable Mentions, including Madi Spanos for two pieces and Joel Bennett.

OSPI Art Show & Regional Recognition
Oak Harbor High School students secured 8 of the 15 regional spots for the OSPI State Art Show, with standout selections including:
  • Lillika Taitano – “Alphabetical Circle”
  • Kaitlin Cellona – “Unwilling Acceptance of Dehumanization”
  • Lily Isaacs – “Pineapple”
  • Tristin Guy – “The T.J. Manyoguy”
Two OHHS students were ultimately selected for the prestigious OSPI State Art Show, each receiving special awards:
  • Hannah Roberts – Inspire Washington Award
  • Madi Spanos – Employees of Washington Award
Two young women pose with awards in front of a historic building.

Congressional Art Competition
Oak Harbor’s visual artists swept the Congressional Art Competition, earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors:
  • 1st Place: Tessa Meyer – “Swallow you attitude” (Her artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol for one year.)
  • 2nd Place: Lillika Taitano – “An オレンジ flavored day”
  • 3rd Place: Peyton Bodenhafer – “Obscure”
Two swallows perch on a dark, textured branch, one with its beak open.
SkillsUSA Competitions
OHHS Career and Technical Education students also shined in statewide SkillsUSA contests:
  • Video Production – State Champions
  • Video News Production – Bronze Medalists
  • Photography: Zoey Spanos, Gold; Miriam Kelly and Marciana Venegas, Top 10; Matthew Selsor, State Qualifier
  • T-Shirt Design: Miriam Kelly, Top 5
  • Pin Design: Olivia Hudson, Gold; Miriam Kelly, Top 10
  • Welding Sculpture: Bailey Maxwell earned 4th regionally and 3rd at State; Emerald Papke earned 3rd regionally and 8th at State
Four young women smile at the camera, wearing lanyards and name tags.
Two women pose with a display about Washington pin design.