On March 3, a group of art students at Pleasant Valley submitted their work to the all-state art tournament. After about a month of patiently waiting, the results of the competition have been received and the art department has a lot to be proud of.

Because of the cumulative scores of PV’s top five portfolios, the school landed in 3rd place overall throughout the state of Iowa. Along with that, two students, Rachel Hunt and Lauren Brewer, received honorable mentions for their outstanding works. This was Brewer’s second time getting the mention, and the only student in Pleasant Valley’s history to do so. Brewer said, “I am very proud of myself. I had to create an entire new portfolio from last year, so getting all that art work done and submitted was a little difficult. However, it is very rewarding to see that my work is being recognized.”

The top five scorers from PV were Carley O’toole, Maya Sheybani, and Evan Bubbers, along with Hunt and Brewer. Devin Hanson, one of two art teachers at PV, said, “I am extremely excited about the results of the competition. It was awesome that Lauren received an honorable mention for the second year in a row and that we were the only school in the QC to get into the top three.”

All state art is a competition between Iowa schools put on by the art educators of Iowa. Juniors and seniors at each school are selected by their teachers to put together a portfolio that contains ten pictures of their artwork, along with three essays. The portfolios are then carefully judged by college professors and working artists.

On April 29, Pleasant Valley will be honored at the all-state art awards program in Des Moines. At the ceremony, PV will be given the title of, “All State Art Program”, because of their 3rd place finish.