Sometimes, the things we feel most deeply are the hardest to say out loud. For Claremore High School students Amelia Matthews (12th grade) and Kellie Stuard (11th grade), those emotions didn’t need to be spoken — they were displayed on a canvas.
Their artwork recently earned recognition at the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Matthews received a Silver Key for her piece “What Was”, while Stuard earned a Gold Key for “Eyes Don’t Lie”. Both now have the opportunity to advance to national-level recognition, with the possibility of being showcased at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Arkansas.
While the awards are impressive, what makes their work truly powerful is the heart behind it.
Art, for both students, is more than a class or a hobby. It is a release, a reflection, and a voice.
“I really do think that art is a great way to express either your troubles or achievements,” Matthews shared.
Stuard agrees. “I love that I can think of something that I'm feeling in the moment and I can just express myself on a piece of paper or on a canvas.”
At first glance, their pieces captivate with beauty and technical precision. But the longer you look, the more you realize these works carry layers of meaning. They are not just portraits or concepts, they are personal stories told through color, texture, and intention.
Matthews’ portfolio centers around her prosthetic and the journey that comes with it, a journey that has shaped her perspective in powerful ways.
“My portfolio is centered around my prosthetic. A lot of people expected me to kind of have issues with it. They expected me to go through this whole ‘oh no,’ but I was really, really excited about it. I don’t go into it with a negative mindset. I kind of go into it like, whatever happens, happens, and I'm excited for whatever it brings me.”
Her work challenges assumptions and reframes adversity as opportunity. A message of resilience wrapped in creativity.
For Stuard, her piece explores truth, honesty, and the emotional impact of deception.
“I want people to believe that I'm the truth. Everything about lying, I hate it. There's nothing good that comes out of it. That’s why I wanted it to feel like the truth is coming out of me. You can see this expression on my face that shows sadness, and that’s how I feel whenever people lie.”
Through her art, Stuard translates emotion into imagery, allowing viewers to feel what words often cannot capture.
Both students have faced challenges and have chosen not to be defined by them. Instead, they channeled it into their artwork.
When faced with adversity, Matthews and Stuard demonstrated resilience and grit. Art became their outlet, a space where vulnerability meets strength. In the process, they have grown not just as students, but as artists.
Claremore Public Schools proudly celebrates these two Zebras and their remarkable achievements. As they continue their artistic journeys, one thing is certain: their stories are far from finished and the canvas still holds endless possibilities.
Congratulations to Amelia Matthews and Kellie Stuard on this incredible accomplishment.