Since 1998, Indiana Connection and participating Indiana electric cooperatives have held an annual art contest for Indiana students in grades kindergarten through 12. The contest provides young Hoosier artists a unique opportunity to express themselves and develop their artistic talent while possibly earning cash prizes and state wide acclaim.

The winning works from each grade are then used to illustrate the Cooperative Calendar of Student Art that participating REMCs/RECs have distributed. The Indiana Electric Cooperatives recently judged the student art contest which will illustrate the 2027 Cooperative Calendar of Student Art. The contest is state wide, artworks from all over Indiana were entered into the contest. 

Whitko High School art students have had at least one winner every year since 2001 appear in the state calendar. This year, that longest standing tradition from any school in the state continues. Whitko High School art students once again received top honors with one first place winner, and three honorable mentions. All four Whitko artworks will be included in the final print of the 2027 state calendar issue.

Congratulations:

• Laura Deckena, “Singing Sunset”, placed first in the 9th grade division and will illustrate the month for September in the 2027 calendar. Laura will also receive $200.

• Isabella Griffin, received an Honorable Mention in the 9th grade division and will receive $75 and a featured spot in the calendar for her migrating ducks piece.  

• Elizabeth Massie, received an Honorable Mention in the 11th grade division and will receive $75 and a featured spot in the calendar for her autumn squirrel piece.

• Hannah Moore, received an Honorable Mention in the 12th grade division and will receive $75 and a featured spot in the calendar for her animal Christmas gathering.  

Whitko art teacher, Daniel Malicki, is proud of his students’ accomplishments and their pursuit for excellence in art year in and year out. He shared, “This is a challenging contest to do. Only two pieces per grade level receive an award, either first or an honorable mention. For Whitko art students to win consistently is noteworthy, especially on a state level.” 

In addition, Whitko students received several “Finalist” Awards, meaning they were held in high regard, they reached the final stage of judging, but were not chosen as the winner. The list of finalist awards have yet to be received.