Milton Hershey School Students Earn National Art Awards
Two members of the Milton Hershey School Class of 2025 will graduate in June having earned top honors in a prestigious national art competition. Danielle Wheagar and Takuma Sugita earned Gold Key Awards in the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
With her future full of possibilities after spending nine years at MHS, Wheagar poured her emotions into a self-portrait oil painting called “Burning Question of Uncertainty.”
Danielle Wheager—”Burning Question of Uncertainty”
“I was inspired to create a piece regarding self-identity and being uncertain about the future,” Wheagar said.
The piece shows a young woman behind a cake. A candle the shape of a question mark shines brightly while other numbers circle her head. Wheagar said drawing the cake, which features multi-colored sprinkles and intricate icing designs, was the most challenging part of the task.
“Additionally, I think I did well portraying the lighting with the candle,” she said.
Sugita, who also captured a Silver Key for his piece “The Powers” and honorable mention for a drawing of him and his beloved dog called “The Boxer,” said the lessons he learned in MHS Visual and Performing Arts classes have benefitted his life.
Takuma Sugita—”The Powers”
“Art is very therapeutic and is a great way to start the day,” he said.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923 with many famous alumni like Andy Warhol, and Sylvia Plath. The awards recognize creative teens with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships.
In addition to Wheagar and Sugita, other MHS students who earned recognition are: Alexander Garber, 12th grade, Silver Key; Kyleigh Dietrich, 12th grade, two Silver Keys; Bethany Ferguson, 10th grade, Honorable Mention.