Justine Ocken’s “Splashing Away” not only won first in the 11th grade division, but also Best of Show, in the Indiana Connection’s annual art show. Ocken is a student at Whitko High School. Photo provided by Whitko High School.

News Release

SOUTH WHITLEY — Since 1998, Indiana Connection and participating Indiana electric cooperatives have held an annual art contest for Indiana students in grades kindergarten through 12.

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 2024 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 is continued once again. Whitko High School Art students continued a successful tradition this year, receiving several top honors; Best of Show, two First place winners, and an Honorable Mention.

Justine Ocken’s horseback rider, “Splashing Away,” placed first in the 11th grade division and will illustrate November in the 2024 calendar. Judges also selected this work as Best of Show. In addition, as she did two years ago as a freshman, she also won the honorable mention for her grade division with the “Recipe for Tradition” illustration. The “Artist of the Year” will be featured in Indiana Connection, Indiana’s electric co-op publication, a special feature of her. The judges stated that these two works stood out among the junior entries. When they turned them over to see the same student did both, despite their difference in subject matter, the judges decided to once again award both to the artist. For all three honors, Ocken will receive $375 ($200 for first, $100 for Best of Show, and $75 for the honorable mention). That’s a new record for contest earnings for one student.

Cate Deckena’s scratchboard of the barn cate placed first in the ninth grade division.

Cate Deckena’s scratchboard of the barn cat placed first in the ninth grade division and will illustrate September. She will receive $200. Judges remarked that they are amazed each year at the scratchboards our students create. Amazing the detail and depth they create “just” scratching off the surface.

Whitko Art teacher, Daniel Malicki, is proud of his students’ accomplishments and their pursuit for excellence in art. “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 over and over again is noteworthy, especially on a state level. Whitko High School Art students have had at least one winner every year since 2001 appear in the state calendar. This is also the first time in a longstanding tradition that an art student has received a “Best of Show” award. There will be a special write up on Ocken highlighting her artistic talents. Look forward to seeing this published in the Electric Consumer magazine.”

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. Each of the numbered grades is given the corresponding month of the year to illustrate: 12 grades, 12 months. It’s a perfect combination. Kindergartners are assigned the cover each year.

Justine Ocken’s “Recipe for Tradition” won honorable mention in the Indiana Connection annual art contest for Indiana.