WPS Students Claim Awards in this Year’s Shirley Hall Youth Art Show

4/8/2026

Berlin, MD – Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) is proud to congratulate six students who were recognized at the Shirley Hall Youth Art Exhibit, held March 6 at the Art League of Ocean City.

WPS sophomore Ellie Phillips of Ocean City, Maryland, earned 1st place in the High School category for her piece titled “Cool Thought.”

Worcester Prep students also achieved outstanding success in the Middle School division, sweeping multiple top honors. Jaylen Lamb earned 1st place for “The Lighthouse,” followed by Alessia Ziman with 2nd place for “Eyeball,” and Elena Kappes with 3rd place for “Pretty Bridge.” Ronit Poddar (“Ode to Remington”) and Tobi Blaska (“Pecker the Chicken”) each received Honorable Mention recognition.

For over 30 years, the Art League of Ocean City has showcased the artwork of Worcester County middle and high school students in the annual Shirley Hall Youth Art Show. Originally sponsored by the Women’s Club of Ocean City, the show was coordinated by Shirley Hall, an active member of the OC Women’s Club and a former president of the Art League. After the OC Women’s Club disbanded, the Art League continued to organize the annual youth show as it remained central to the organization’s mission. In 2006, the Art League renamed the show in Shirley's honor after her passing.

Founded in 1970, WPS is a private independent school serving Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.

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Pictured from left are Worcester Preparatory School award recipients Ellie Phillips (Ocean City, MD), 1st Place (Grades 9–12) for “Cool Thought”; Jaylen Lamb (Ocean View, DE), 1st Place (Middle School) for “The Lighthouse”; Alessia Ziman (Ocean City, MD), 2nd Place (Middle School) for “Eyeball”; Elena Kappes (Selbyville, DE), 3rd Place (Middle School) for “Pretty Bridge”; Ronit Poddar (Ocean Pines, MD), Honorable Mention for “Ode to Remington”; and Tobi Blaska (Ocean City, MD), Honorable Mention for “Pecker the Chicken.”

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Worcester Preparatory School

508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811

Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586

Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.