Cambridge’s JoLie Farr wins Best of Show at MCC

Cambridge High School artist JoLie Farr received the Best of Show award Friday at the 50^th anniversary of the McCook Community College Paint-In and Art Show Competition. In addition, four winners in each of seven categories were announced. This year there were 338 entries from 19 area high schools that competed in the event.

Friday was also the annual paint-in competition with 30 teams from 20 area high schools gathering at MCC’s Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center for the competition.

This year’s judge was 2007 McCook High School graduate and MCC Art Alum Morgan (Pearson) Neverve, who is an art teacher in Beatrice. She announced the theme of “Legacy,” with an accompanying definition as “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc., that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.”

Teams painted their version of “Legacy” on eight-foot by four-foot sheets of paper.

The winning team was Norton Team 1. Second place was McCook team 2. Cambridge team 2 was third and Ogallala received honorable mention.

Each team that participated in Friday’s event received a $500 scholarship to attend McCook Community College.

Here are the winners of the 2025 MCC High School Paint-In Exhibition:

BEST OF SHOW: JoLie Farr, Cambridge, “Indigenous Woman.”

PAINTING – Judge’s Choice: Osney Barber, McCook, “Tree Door”; 1. Milo Hernandez-Moreno, Lexington, “Self-Portrait”; 2. Ana McNair, Chase County, “Aristocats”; 3. Trevin Moreno, Chase County, “Zach Bryan.”

DRAWING – Judge’s Choice: Paytin Sickles, Cambridge, “My Hero.” 1. Lexie Parra, Lexington, “Laufey”; 2. JoLie Farr, Cambridge, “Perspective”; 3. Emily Cornelius, Perkins County; “Harper Murray.”

PRINTS/PRINTMAKING – Judge’s Choice: Savannah Paisley, Cambridge, “Forget me not”; 1. Kapri Loop, McCook, “The Beach”; 2. Tesha Stagemeyer, Norton, “Bouquet of Beauty”; 3. Paytin Sickels, Cambridge, “Juno’s.”

MIXED MEDIA – Judge’s Choice: Mareesa Hempler, Norton, “Lillies”; 1. Isabella Torres, Perkins County, “Dusty Dealings”; 2. Ella Juenemann, Norton, “Zach Top”; 3. Ali Del Carlo, Maywood, “Deer Skull.”

POTTERY/CERAMICS – Judge’s Choice: Oliver Anders, Maywood, “Mom’s chicken alfredo”; 1. Natalie Simmons, Norton, “Ahusaka”; 2. Mareesa Hempler, Norton, “Succulent tea party”; 3. Alex Rivas, Lexington, “Griff.”

3-DIMENSIONAL/SCULPTURE – Judge’s Choice: Ashley Smith, Maywood, “****”; 1. Serenity Mowdy, McCook, “Sardines”; 2. Leya Hull, Decatur Community, “Candy Shop”; 3. Madison Swesey, Perkins County, “Todd the Fox.”

DIGITAL AND PHOTOGRAPHY – Judge’s Choice: Marko Jordan, Southern Valley, “Erieon Silverbranch”; 1. Aiden Holbrook, Lexington, “Flying Fox”; 2. Aliyah Samayoa, Lexington, “Orangass”; 3. Isabella Torres, Perkins County, “Samurai.”