Pioneer High School Wins 21st Clay Olympics at Buffalo State

Pioneer High School in Yorkshire, New York, won the 21st annual Western New York Clay Olympics hosted by Buffalo State’s ceramics program on May 30.

Approximately 20 students from Pioneer and Lewiston-Porter high schools competed in individual- and team-timed events using clay and various clay-forming methods in Upton Hall’s Ceramics Studio.

In years past, the Clay Olympics has included students from up to four local high schools, said Robert Wood, professor of art and design and coordinator of the ceramics program. Each of the participating schools’ art teachers are alumni of the ceramics and art education programs.

“Every year, I enjoy seeing my former students, who are now teaching the next generation of artists, return to campus,” Wood said. “Their students bring not only talent to the competition but also an infectious enthusiasm.”

Another feature of the Clay Olympics is a juried selection of the top ceramic artworks that result from the competition.

This year’s winners:

• First place: Hayli Green, Pioneer 
• Second place: Brook Brzezicki, Pioneer 
• Third place: Leah Sims, Pioneer 
• Traditional pottery: Kaitlynn Webber, Pioneer 
• Honorable mentions: Sydney Kudela, Lewiston-Porter; Mckenna Waterstrom, Lewiston-Porter; Jasmine Sims, Pioneer; Alyssa Banas, Lewiston-Porter         

All the winning artists received cash awards made possible by the Sylvia L. Rosen Endowment at the Burchfield Penney Art Center.