Every student has an academic talent. Some students are good at math while others are good readers. However, Johnson Country Community College wants to honor students whose talents are arts related.

Teachers from across Johnson County nominated 118 seniors for the awards, which have 11 categories from photography to three-dimensional art to performing. Eleven students from Olathe South were nominated, one in each category.

Students nominated from Olathe South are; Shelby Otte for literature, Sarah Gabel for photography, Heather Jackson for production and design, Tanner Leon for strings, Andrea Strickler for theatre performance, Mariah Case for three-dimensional art, Lauren Gawlak for two-dimensional art, Natalie Boos for voice classical and Carley Eschliman for winds and percussion.

“I was nominated for my involvement in band,” Eschliman said.

Each category has different criteria for a winner to be chosen.

For the winds and percussion category, participants will choose two contrasting songs and play as they are recorded. Participants in this category will be graded on interpretation, correct notes, musicality and possibly by résumé.

Sarah Gabel was nominated for the photography section.

For her competition, Gabel will submit eight pictures from the categories black and white architecture, nature and portraits.

To Gabel, being in this competition means that “[she’s] a decent photographer, and [she has] more confidence to pursue photography as a hobby or a minor.”

Mariah Case was nominated for the 3-D art category.

She will be graded on the overall quality of her work and her use of different techniques.

“It’s an honor [to be nominated.] It’s not something that they nominate for every year,” Case said.

Case will submit eight pieces, and five pieces have size requirements. Some will be made just for the competition, but a few pieces will be ones she has already creatd.

Submittions and auditions are due in January, and the awards ceremony will be held on April 3, 2016.

Scholarships will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category. First place will receive $1,400, second will receive $700 and third will receive $350.