When Putnam City High School senior Trisha Thompson walked into art class one February morning, she could tell something was up.
A few moments later, art teacher Marty Bernich told her what it was: Thompson’s portfolio of art work had been judged best in state by judges in the Young Talent in Oklahoma competition, beating out more than 100 other portfolios submitted by student artists from across the state. Bernich told Thompson that along with the honor of having the state’s top portfolio, she would also receive college scholarship funds.
"I asked him if he was serious. I was shocked," Thompson says.
Thompson was not the only district student recognized in the annual competition. Hannah Lee of Putnam City High has the state’s seventh-best portfolio, according to judges. Lee also earned a cash award for a work titled Live Fence. Kayla Dodson of Putnam City High won an Award of Merit for her work Wait Wait Wait.
Three other students had their work juried into the show at the Philbrook, meaning their work is on display along with the work of Thompson, Lee and Dodson. Nicole Williams of Putnam City High School had her chalk pastel drawing, A Dirty Dream, selected for the show. Helen Shafer of Putnam City North High School had her work, Kill Plastic Schimtar, chosen by judges. Sarah Hall of Putnam City West High School also had her work, Beside You In Time, selected for display.
The Young Talent in Oklahoma competition is held specifically for high school students with the purpose of showcasing talent and improving secondary art programs statewide through a juried competition. Benefits for students include scholarship, tuition waivers and cash awards along with the honor of having their work showcased in an accredited museum. 
In the 40 years of the competition, an average of 2,000 individual works of art and 125 portfolios are submitted for judging annually. Faculty members from state universities, professional artists and national and state association members jury the show each year.
The competition is sponsored by the Oklahoma Art Education Association with support from the Oklahoma State Arts Council.
Nicole Williams of Putnam City High School is one of six district students to have work on display in the Philbrook Museum as part of the Young Talent in Oklahoma competition. At right is her chalk pastel drawing, "A Dirty Dream."