Ira Colendrino, a junior at Starr’s Mill High, has placed first in the 2016 Chuck Baird Memorial Art Competition sponsored by the American Sign Language (ASL) Honor Society.

This year’s theme focused on the work of deaf cartoonist Matt Daigle and his wife, Kay Daigle.

Ira took the top honor in the “Original Creation” category for her original cartoon drawing titled “Deafsters University.” The artwork had to address an element of deaf life, history, culture, or language.

Judges evaluated the artwork on interpretation and clarity, quality of artistic composition, overall design based on the theme, and overall impression of the art.

The competition, named in honor of deaf artist Chuck Baird, was created to expose students to the artists, genres, and visual expressions of deaf culture as expressed through art. It is open to students at all grade levels throughout the nation.