Diley Middle School 6th Grader Andrea Vasquez Earns Honorable Mention in 2025 Youth Art Month Flag/Graphic Design Exhibition!
March 1, 2025, Pickerington, OH - Art has the power to heal, inspire, and tell stories—just ask Andrea Vasquez, a 6th grader at Diley Middle School, whose incredible artwork earned her an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Youth Art Month Flag/Graphic Design Exhibition sponsored by the Ohio Art Education Association! Andrea, along with her inspiring Art Teacher Victoria Bannerman, will be recognized on Saturday, March 1, at Riverside Methodist Hospital beginning at Noon.
The 2025 contest theme, Healing Through Color, encouraged students to explore how art can be a source of comfort and expression. Andrea’s piece is a deeply personal reflection on how she turns to art in difficult times.
“This art piece is about healing through color, because it represents how I felt when I had to heal with art to calm me down when I went through any type of difficult situation,” Andrea explained. "Also, art helped me regain my creativity when I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, since I didn’t know what else to do with myself. Anyways, this art piece shows healing through color, because this is how I looked when I was healing.”
Ms. Bannerman, who submitted Andrea’s work for the contest, couldn’t be prouder.
“Our District’s art program is a united and inspiring community where creativity thrives. It’s an incredible opportunity to help students reach their full potential while sharing a passion for the arts,” she shared. “Andrea’s piece is a powerful reminder of how art allows us to express ourselves, process emotions, and connect with others. The Ohio Art Education Association does a phenomenal job of creating opportunities for students to be recognized for their talents and abilities. I am very proud of our Diley artists and the meaningful pieces they create.”
For Andrea, this honor is more than just an award—it’s a step toward her future.
“When I get older, I want to be a designer, but also an art teacher like Ms. Bannerman,” Andrea said. “I want to teach kids how to express their feelings through art and make someone smile.” She also reflected on what this recognition means to her, saying, “It means, like, a lot to me, and honestly, like it’s surprising that I got this. It just kinda hit me to know that I worked so hard to accomplish this and to accomplish everything that I’ve done for this art piece.”
Andrea’s achievement highlights the incredible talent within Pickerington Local Schools and the dedication of its art educators. We encourage everyone to celebrate Youth Art Month and advocate for your art program.
Congratulations, Andrea and Ms. Bannerman! Keep making the world a more colorful and meaningful place! Their passion for the arts is a shining example of how creativity can inspire, heal, and bring communities together.
