Full of life, color and the artistic spirit, the hallway is as silent as night. Only the viewers’ eyes gaze upon the sculptures and paintings that crowd the condensed space. Art admirers scrutinize and observe the work of those who in their opinion might be the next van Gogh, Picasso or da Vinci.

The Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE), which was held here last Saturday, is an academic and visual arts competition with over 20,000 pieces competing throughout the state.

“It’s one of the most amazing, inspiring and intense high school art competitions I have ever seen,” Site Director Chana Jayme, who also teaches art, said.

Previously, the school has had students who won medals at the Area Event but only about 10 percent of the medal winners will get chosen to advance.

“We have an average of two students make it to state each year,” Area Director Dallas Williams, who also teaches art, said. “We have even had a Gold Seal winner at state. That’s the top of the top who medal at state.”

This year seven students advanced to state.

“This is my first year having my own students qualify, so I’m a little in awe of them,” Jayme said. “I’m so thrilled.”

Junior Miguel Bueno, a returning competitor, said he was eager to score higher than the year before.

“I did VASE last year, and I did well for my first art competition,” he said. “I got a score of 3 out of 4.”

Bueno was among those who advanced this year.

“It’s a really big deal to me because I never once thought I would actually win and now I’m really excited to go to state,” he said.

Sophomore Leslie Hernandez, a first time competitor, advanced with a perfect score.

“I’m very proud of myself because I’m not very confident in my work,” she said. “I always feel like it’s not good enough. So knowing that I’m going to state with a perfect score is really unbelievable.”

Jayme and Williams will continue to help with the competition, which will take place on April 5 in Bryan, Texas.

“The next step for me is going to state and (I) hope for the best,” Bueno said. “Then I’ll work on some more pieces for next year.”