“Retro Remix”: Honoring the Legacy of OAEA Award-Winning Art and Design Teachers in Oak Hills Local School District

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This year’s Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA) professional development convention embraces the theme “Retro Remix”, a celebration of looking back, reimagining, and building forward. For the Oak Hills Local School District, the theme resonates deeply as we reflect on a proud tradition of art education led by educators whose work has been recognized at the state level. Over the years, multiple Oak Hills art and design teachers have been honored with OAEA awards, reflecting not only individual excellence but also a collective culture that values creativity, innovation, and the transformative power of the arts.

This year, we are proud to honor Mary Sala of Delhi Middle School, who was selected as the Middle Division Award Winner—essentially the Middle School Art Teacher of the Year. Mary is both a gifted educator and a tireless advocate for her students and colleagues. For more than a decade, she has been a driving force in her school and community: organizing district art shows, curating state-level exhibits, and creating opportunities for students to share their voices. Her leadership extends statewide through service as Southwest Co-Regional Director, Co-Chair of Youth Art Month (alongside Rapid Run’s Stacey Battoclette), and now as Southwest Administrative Chair. A frequent OAEA presenter, she also shares her expertise and leads professional development across Ohio.

In the classroom, Mary believes art is more than technique, it is a tool for self-discovery and understanding the world. She creates a dynamic space where students experiment, take risks, and embrace failure as part of growth. Her practices, including standards-based grading and a thriving art club, ensure every student feels included and celebrated. She highlights every child’s work in art shows, collaborates on theatrical productions, and secures grants for experiences such as pottery wheel workshops at Queen City Clay. A lifelong learner, she has earned advanced degrees, exhibited her own artwork, and remained deeply connected to Ohio’s art education community. She is both mentor and facilitator, empowering students to see art not just as a skill, but as a lens for exploring and shaping their world.

Art and design education in Oak Hills has never been about simply teaching technique. It has always been about pushing students to think differently, take risks, and discover their voices through visual expression. Award-winning teachers have consistently elevated classrooms into studios of possibility, where young artists are encouraged to question, connect, and create with purpose. The “Retro Remix” theme reminds us that today’s excellence is built on yesterday’s foundation. Each OAEA award received by an Oak Hills teacher marks a legacy of high standards and dedication to students’ growth as artists and thinkers. Whether through drawing, ceramics, photography, or digital media, Oak Hills teachers have inspired generations to see art as a way of understanding the world and cultivating creativity that extends far beyond the classroom walls.

As we celebrate “Retro Remix”, we honor the achievements of our award-winning educators while looking ahead to the new ideas, media, and perspectives emerging in our classrooms. The Oak Hills tradition is one of excellence and evolution: constantly remixing, reimagining, and reinventing to meet the needs of today’s learners.

Outstanding Art Teachers
Susan Ruttle Lawrence (retired), 1991
Sherry Middendorf Fuller (retired), 1999
Sylvia Dick (retired), 2003
Joni Farrow (retired), 2007
Karen Lutz (retired), 2012
Mary Sala, 2019
Stacey Battoclette, 2020
Jamie Schorsch, 2022
Steve Groh, 2024

Division Level Awards
Sherry Middendorf Fuller (retired), 2014: Elementary Division
Susan Ruttle Lawrence (retired), 1998: Middle Division
Mary Sala: 2025: Middle Division
Jamie Schorsch, 2023: Secondary Division
Susan Ruttle Lawrence (retired), 2018: Higher Education Division
Sylvia Dick (retired), 2022: Higher Education Division

Ohio Art Educator of the Year and Distinguished Fellow
Susan Ruttle Lawrence (retired), 2019

Summer 2025 “Celebrating Art” OHHS Art and Design Students to Be Published

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“Celebrating Art” is devoted to the promotion and appreciation of student art. The intent of their student art contest is to motivate student artists. The top entries are published in an anthology that will record the creative works of today’s student artists.

Students recently submitted work and 31 OHHS Art and Design students were invited to be published in the Summer 2025 “Celebrating Art”!  Only the best art is selected to be included in the full-color hardbound art book, “Celebrating Art”. Additionally, final judging for the “Top Ten Artist” and “High Merit Artist” awards will be completed and announced soon. The following students should feel honored. This is not a contest where every entry is invited to be published and is a highly selective competition. Thousands of entries were not invited to be published. Being published represents a lot of talent, hard work, and dedication from students.

Congratulations to the following students:

From Dignan-Cummins’ Ceramics 1, Honors Enamels, Mosaic, and Glass, Honors Fiber Arts, Sculpture, and AP Art 3D Design classes:

Skyla Blevins
Mahala Burnett
Nola Cain
Kasandra Campos Sanchez
Evelyn Dann
Jayla Gazaway
Grace Gray
Austin Haarmeyer
Belle Kirby
Darlyn Levia Herandez
Jack Ludwig
Samantha McDonald
Leo Ruthven
Addison Wuebbling
Zoe Wuerdeman

From Kopf’s Art Foundations, Digital Art Foundations, and Painting and Public Art classes:

Claire Boles
Cynthia Brown
Adriana Garcia
Aubree Harden
Megan Mackay
Ahleya Velasco

From Schorsch’s Drawing and Printmaking, Art Foundations, and Studio Art AP 2D Design and Drawing classes: 

Molly Audretch
Bethany Bachman
Colin Klaserner
Kendalyn Kress
Cody Leopold

Lily McGuire
Annie Riley
Lizzie Schreibeis
Sophia Wehman
Lydia Wilson

Bridging Classrooms Across Continents: OHHS Art and Design Teacher Jamie Schorsch’s Journey as a 2025 Fulbright TGC Fellow in India

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During the sweltering heat of July, OHHS Art and Design teacher Jamie Schorsch embarked on a life-changing journey as one U.S. teachers selected for the prestigious Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) Program, a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs initiative administered by IREX. In partnership with the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), the program immersed these fellows in India’s vibrant educational landscape, where cross-cultural exchange and collaboration came to life.

Over the course of two immersive weeks, Schorsch traveled across India with fellow educators, engaging in a deep exploration of pedagogy, policy, and practice. The group visited schools and academic institutions in cities including New Delhi, Alwar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hosur, Kolkata, Pune, Vadodara, with Schorsch being assigned to the host community of Varanasi. In each location, the fellows were warmly welcomed into classrooms where they observed instruction, engaged in co-teaching, and shared strategies with Indian educators and policy makers. From bustling urban schools to rural campuses, Schorsch witnessed firsthand the strength of India’s educational diversity and the passion of its educators.

One highlight of the experience was delivering formal remarks at a special reception at the closing of the experience, where Schorsch addressed an audience of distinguished guests including Fulbright scholars, representatives of the U.S. Department of State, members of IREX, USIEF, and the U.S. Embassy in India. Drawing from the insights gained throughout the exchange, Schorsch spoke to the transformative power of international collaboration in education and the mutual growth that comes from partnerships rooted in cultural understanding.

Throughout the journey, Indian Fulbright alumni served as generous hosts, opening their schools, homes, and hearts to the TGC fellows. These hosts played a vital role in connecting educators across borders, sharing local wisdom while learning from the American visitors. Their support exemplified the enduring strength of the Fulbright network and the global impact of its alumni.

Reflecting on her experience, Jamie Schorsch described the exchange as “a living bridge between classrooms,” one that will continue to inform her teaching practice and empower her students to think globally.

Her time in India was more than an exchange of ideas, it was a reaffirmation of education as a shared human endeavor that transcends geography. As a Fulbright TGC Fellow, dedicated arts educator, and advocate for global learning, Schorsch returns to her classroom with renewed purpose, eager to infuse her curriculum with global perspectives, foster student curiosity about the world, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

To read more about Schorsch’s experiences and reflections in India, visit https://goghglobalarteducation.wordpress.com/blog/

A Roaring Success: Kendalyn Kress Wins Peoples’ Choice for “A Little Grizzly”

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In a standout display of creativity and heart, Oak Hills High School junior Kendalyn Kress has earned the Peoples’ Choice award for her piece titled “A Little Grizzly,” featured in The HeART of the Community show at the Delhi Event Center Gallery.

Presented as part of The HeART of the Community show, a celebration of young artistic talent and creative expression in the region, Kendalyn’s work stood out among many compelling entries displayed in the exhibition. The Peoples’ Choice award, selected by public vote, reflects the deep impact of her drypoint etching and the response it evoked from the community.

This recognition highlights not only Kendalyn’s voice as an artist, but also the importance of school and community partnerships in fostering the arts. With the support of educators and the vibrant platform provided by the Delhi Event Center, student voices like Kendalyn continue to shine.

Mastering the Arts: OHHS Art and Design Students Excel in AP Art and Design & Art History

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The OHHS Art and Design Department is proud to recognize the incredible achievements of our visual arts students, several of whom earned the top score of a 5 on this year’s AP Art and Design and AP Art History exams. These scores reflect their deep commitment to hard work, critical thinking, and creative exploration.

AP Art and Design students undertook a year-long journey to develop a portfolio that demonstrates both conceptual development and technical skill. The course challenges students to explore a self-driven line of inquiry through a series of artworks, encouraging experimentation, research, and personal voice. Their portfolios are evaluated by professional artists and educators, and a score of 5 indicates the highest level of accomplishment, with the work showing exceptional artistic decision-making and mastery of materials.

Congratulations to the following students who earned a 5 on their AP Art and Design Drawing Portfolio:

Molly Audretch
Lizzie Schreibeis
Jordan Tinsley

Molly Audretch
Jordan Tinsley

Congratulations to the following students who earned a 5 on their AP Art and Design 2D Design Portfolio:

Grace Gray
Alysse Niewoehner
Sophia Wehman

Grace Gray
Alysse Niewoehner
Sophia Wehman

Meanwhile, students in AP Art History immersed themselves in over 250 works of art spanning diverse cultures, time periods, and media. This rigorous course asks students to analyze and interpret visual, historical, and contextual elements of art from prehistory to the present. A score of 5 on the AP Art History exam signifies a high level of visual literacy, historical understanding, and analytical writing ability.

Congratulations to the following students who earned a 5 on their AP Art and Design 2D Design Portfolio:

Molly Audretch
Samantha Gardner

Whether mastering studio techniques or exploring the global story of art, these students have proven themselves to be thoughtful, disciplined, and deeply engaged. We commend their hard work and can’t wait to see the impact they will make in the creative world and beyond.

Congratulations to our outstanding AP Art and Design and AP Art History scholars!