Sho-Bans in the Spotlight: Yellowjohn, Herkshan Osborne & Hooper win PCSD 25 Fine Arts Competition awards
Sho-Ban youth artist and Best In Show winner Nabuginnah Yellowjohn (center) with family at Gate City Coffee on May 1.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — Nabuginnah “Naboo” Yellowjohn won Best in Show while Syan Hooper and Lozen Herkshan Osborne each won honorable mentions for their work in the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 America Through the Eyes of Our Learners Fine Arts Exhibition on Friday, May 1, as part of the Historic Downtown Pocatello First Friday Art Walk at Gate City Coffee.
The exhibition, held in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, featured approximately 75 student works representing visual art, written expression, and multimedia pieces. The gallery-style display allowed visitors to view student artwork throughout the evening, with award-winning entries marked by prize-level ribbons and community members participating in People’s Choice voting. Student entries reflected a wide range of ideas and perspectives.
Yellowjohn, a third grade student at Tyhee Elementary, received Best in Show for his visual arts entry, “The Land Hears Me.” He is also a fourth-generation Native American flute player and he submitted a video of himself performing a musical selection to accompany his work.
“My drawing shows the mountain behind my house,” Naboo shared in his submission. “I made it because my parents told me to try, and when I draw or play music, it helps me feel better. This picture shows where I live and how the land around me feels calm and strong.”
Lozen Herkshan Osborne’s “The Heroes of the Past” submission that won an honorable
mention award.
Hooper, a 6th-grade student at Hawthorne Middle School, was recognized with an honorable mention for the visual arts entry “The Beautiful Lies and the Harsh Reality.” Herkshan Osborne, an 8th-grade student at Hawthorne Middle School, was recognized with an honorable mention for the written arts entry “The Heroes of the Past.”
The event also featured other student pieces displayed throughout Gate City Coffee, including drawings, paintings, written works, and creative interpretations of what America means through the eyes of young learners. Live student musical performances began at 6:30 p.m., adding another student-led element to the evening. Yellowjohn shared a message for other young artists, “I want kids to believe in themselves, and to know they can do big things with hard work and practice.”
Syan Hooper’s honorable mention award winning submission titled “The
Beautiful Lies and the Harsh Reality.”
Family members described Yellowjohn’s artistic development as a process that began with simple drawings at a young age and gradually evolved into more detailed and observational work. They noted his tendency to draw inspiration from everyday surroundings, often recreating people, animals, and objects he encounters and transforming them into original pieces.
According to event organizers, prize money for award recipients is available for pickup at the District Office, located at 3115 Pole Line Road, during the week of May 5 to 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
