Badin High school senior Regan Runtz was honored with the “Best of Show” award at the annual “Tomorrow’s Artists Today” competition sponsored by the Middletown Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Runtz’s piece, a pastel drawing entitled “Geometric”, was voted the best artwork out of the more than 130 pieces of art displayed, representing student art from 11 different high schools.

“Regan is a talented artist and it’s wonderful to see her recognized for her hard work,” said BHS art teacher Sarah Daniels. “She is always teachable, open to new ideas and techniques. She has developed her skills and focused on her strengths. This recognition is well deserved.”

“I’m very surprised,” said Runtz of her top award. “Art is something I’ve done since I was very little. I’ve always done it and I’ve always enjoyed it”

Runtz is the daughter of Allen and Jenny Runtz of Fairfield and a graduate of Sacred Heart School. She plans to study animation at the University of Cincinnati/Blue Ash.

Runtz’s “Best of Show” award was one of three top awards Badin students received. Senior Elizabeth Hurst was honored with a first place for her painting, “Strange Brew” and senior Audrey Horsley received a first place for her drawing, “Kick Back.”

“This is a great show and our students show such creativity,” Daniels said. “We love the fact that the Middletown Arts Center wants to motivate and recognize young artists each year. We’re very proud of the fact that we earned a number of awards and had so many pieces of Badin art showcased in the event.”

Badin students had 39 pieces of art from 26 different students juried into the competition.

Other awards included: Runtz added a second place and honorable mention nod in the painting category and Horsley had a third place in drawing and honorable mention in painting. Senior Elsa Rothan had a second place in drawing, and senior Samantha Caballero had a third place in painting and honorable mention in watercolor.

Other honorable mention awards went to sophomore Lauren Bierer in digital art; sophomore Lindsey McKenna in mixed media; senior Kaitlyn Robinson in painting and junior Maddie Thompson in drawing.

Other Badin High students who had art juried into the competition included seniors Kaitlyn Hopewell, Andy Moore and Jillian Smith; juniors Dani Berry, Tommy Hogan, Caroline Hughes, Emma Kent and Paige Long; and sophomores Hannah Ballinger, Kylee Fait, Stephanie Hartkemeyer, Madison Hodapp, Haylie Jacobs, Elizabeth Kreimer, Noelia Ordonez, Kylie Spade and Emma Zancan.

The “Tomorrow’s Artists Today” show will be on display at the Middletown Arts Center on North Verity Parkway until March 12.