Students from 15 area schools are participating with awards given in five categories as well as honorable mentions.

The judge for this year's show is Jack Van Dam, an art teacher at Sebring High School.

He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in education and has been a teacher in Highlands County for 27 years.

He started the art club at Sebring High School and sponsors an annual Fine Arts Week.

Mr. Van Dam selected the following student winners:

Best of Show: Chelsey Dennis, Frostproof Senior High School

Grades K-2: First : Sierra Prentice, Alturas ; second: Kajahaire Buentello, Frostproof ; third: Kolten Jones, Alturas; forth: Briana Nobles,Frostproof; fifth: Kiersten Robbins, Alturas.

Grades 3-5: First: Tyler Carnley, Hillcrest; second: Taylor Wolf, Hillcrest; third: Lewis Blankenship, Alturas. forth: Jacob Wells, Babson Park; fifth: Nelissa Lopez, Alturas.

Grades 6-8: First: Laatyn Stone, McLaughlin; second: Korina Snyder, McLaughlin; third: Melanie Fernandez, Frostproof; forth: Jose Martinez, McLaughlin; fifth: Eric Cordova, McLaughlin. Honorable Mentions: McLaughlin: Eva Yadira Ortiz, Levi Borders, Tyler Fussel, Brianna Henricks. Frostproof: Kylle George, Rachel Manauton. Davenport: Amayrani Espinosa, Matt Frier, Brandi Munroe, Laura Borders, Destiny Solis, Austin Collins, Kasey Gabriel. Boone: Madelyn Cordeiro.

Grades 9-12: First: Shannon Deal, Frostproof; second: Trey Hortert, Frostproof; third: Mayra Balleza, Frostproof; forth: Aaron Sims, Frostproof; fifth: Joshua Mondelli.

The show runs through April 6 and is free and open to the public. An awards ceremony will be held at the Lake Wales Arts Center on April 6 from 2 to 4 p.m.