Edwardsville High Schooler Receives National Art Recognition

EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville High School student has received national recognition for her art.

Zara Omotola, a senior at EHS, has been working for years to compile her portfolio as she applies to fine arts college programs. Her self-portrait, titled “Her and Her Shadow,” received a Scholastic Gold Key, a major accomplishment that encourages the young artist to continue creating.

“I was so excited and proud of myself, especially for the Gold Key, because it's a huge achievement and a national award that many famous artists and writers have won,” she said. “To be on that same level that they were when they were young is so encouraging and makes me feel validated and less scared for the future.”

Omotola shared that she has been creating art since she was a child. She loves painting, singing, dancing and playing piano. She always dreamed of becoming an interior designer, author or fashion designer.

As she approached high school, Omotola’s love for art grew and she began working with other mediums, including sculpture. Her sculpture “Ignacio” received a Silver Key last year. She has collaborated with art teachers at EHS and a private tutor, Suzanne Rupp through Artriculate, to grow her skills.

Rupp said she was “blown away” by the self-portrait. After working with Omotola for over a year, she is proud of her and the ways she has grown.

Rupp emphasized the balance between guiding her students and letting them grow their own creative expression. She looks forward to seeing Omotola’s future work as she fields college acceptances.

“She was a really good, independent worker. She had really good ideas. I’m just there to help,” Rupp explained. “She was definitely fun to work with, and it will be neat to see where she winds up.”

Omotola plans to major in fine art in college, but she is also interested in studying creative writing and environmental science. She has a few career paths that she might pursue, with the goal to “bring light to social and environmental problems” no matter what she ends up doing.

She has created an impressive portfolio as she applies to schools across the country. The Gold Key recognition is another major achievement that might qualify her work to be published in the Scholastic Yearbook or hung in the Met in New York City. Omotola and Rupp are waiting to see how her art fares against other Gold Key winners on the national level.

No matter what happens next, Rupp and the Riverbend will be cheering on the EHS senior as she enters college and continues creating. Omotola noted that art is a powerful force in her life, and she hopes other people benefit from her work.

“Art comes in many forms,” she added. “I don't think people should limit themselves. People usually say that they're not good at art, they don't have talent and stuff like that. But I think anyone can do art.”

More like this:

Edwardsville High Senior to Finish Community Art Project Before Graduation

May 6, 2026

Edwardsville High School Student Wins Second Place for Sculpture in SIUE Art Show

Mar 31, 2026

Teacher Appreciation Week: Nonlinear Path Led Emily Ottwein to Music Education Career She Loves

May 4, 2026

Edwardsville High School Wins IHSA Journalism State Final

May 12, 2026

Edwardsville High School Theater Department to be Honored at Award Ceremony

May 5, 2026