Belleville East Senior Aubrey Heins Wins Prestigious Art Education Award

The Belleville East student is among four nationwide selected for the NAEA Rising Star Recognition Program.

Feb 18, 2026 10:51 AM Feb 19, 2026 1:27 PM

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Belleville East student Aubrey Heins.

BELLEVILLE - Belleville East High School senior Aubrey Heins has been named one of four students nationwide in the National Art Education Association’s Rising Star Secondary Recognition Program for future art educators, and will be recognized at the organization’s 2026 national convention in Chicago.

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The 2026 NAEA National Convention, featuring the Rising Star Secondary Recognition Program, will be held in Chicago from March 5-7, 2026. The program recognizes up to 50 active National Art Honor Society (NAHS) members annually, with honorees celebrated at the convention.

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The Belleville East High School announced Hein's recognition in a statement congratulating her and describing the honor as an “incredible accomplishment.”

Heins is set to be recognized during the All Divisions Award and Western Region Awards ceremonies at the 2026 convention, Belleville East High School said.

“We are so proud of Aubrey’s incredible accomplishment,” the school said. “Congratulations to Aubrey for this incredible honor.”

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