Students from Yorktown Secondary School made a strong impression at the 2026 Polish History Art Contest, earning top honors in the school’s first year participating in the regional competition hosted by the Polish Heritage Center.
The Annual Polish History Art Contest Award Ceremony was held May 2 in Panna Maria and featured students across Karnes and DeWitt counties, ranging from kindergarten through high school seniors. Yorktown Secondary art teacher Ellen Yosko entered several eighthgrade students in the competition, with two students placing in the eighth-grade division.
Randy Pawelek, Vice President of the Polish Heritage Center, Yorktown 8th grader Lainey Lemke, Alice Poore, Executive Director of the Polish Heritage Center, and Yorktown 8th Grader Carson Schorlerner attended the Polish History Art Contest. Courtesy Photo
Eighth grader Lainey Lemke earned second place as well as the prestigious People’s Choice Award for her artwork.
“My painting was of a Polish festival with two Polish dancers with dresses, surrounded by Polish flowers and chickens,” Lemke said. “I was so excited and happy when I found out that I had placed. I really enjoyed the awards ceremony because we got to walk around and look at all the other art. Besides my medal for second place, I got an award for being the People’s Choice.”
Fellow eighth grader Carson Schorlemer also placed in the competition with a detailed painting inspired by Polish architecture.
“I was really happy when I found out that I had placed,” Schorlemer said. “My painting was of a Polish building with a lot of details. It took me over a week to get it like I wanted. The ceremony was a lot of fun because we got to see a lot of good art.”
According to Alice Poore, the contest continues to highlight both artistic talent and cultural appreciation among area students.
“The Polish Heritage Center hosted 198 entries in this year’s art contest,” Poore said. “The talent that was displayed by these students from Yorktown, Karnes City, and Falls City ISDs was extraordinary, and we thank the teachers and the parents for their support of Polish culture and heritage.”
Yosko praised the dedication and creativity shown by her students throughout the process.
“They really took the time to research different parts of Polish heritage,” Yosko said. “Their execution of their themes and creative touches took their art to a whole new level. To say that I’m proud is an understatement. I’m extremely proud of how hard these two worked. I loved watching them create art that was out of their comfort zone.”
The success of Yorktown Secondary students in their first appearance at the competition reflects both the students’ artistic abilities and the school’s growing connection to regional cultural and historical programs.
