WPS Receives Optimist Club Art Awards

3/5/2026

Berlin, MD – Students from Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) were honored for their outstanding artwork in the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club’s Worcester County High School Art Contest.

In February, the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club hosted the Worcester County High School Art Contest, a juried event showcasing the artistic talents of high school students. The exhibition displayed student artwork submitted by various high school art teachers, including George Zaiser, the WPS Art Director.

This competition not only aims to inspire and recognize the creative abilities of students in Worcester County but also emphasizes the significance of quality art education. An impressive total of over $2,000 in cash prizes was awarded to participating student artists. Awards included 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention recognitions in Digital Art, Drawing, and Painting. Local artist and educator David Simpson served as the judge for the selection of artwork.

WPS Award Winners

Drawing:

1^st Place: Hayden Wagner – “Black Smith’s Boy Heel and Toe” – Pencil and Charcoal

2ndPlace: Nate Friedman – “Diverse Beauty” – Colored Pencil and Watercolor Marker

3rd Place: Elena Gjoni - “Midnight Fantasy” - Colored Pencil

Painting:

Honorable Mention: Levi Phillips – “Cool Thoughts” – Acrylic Paint

For more information about the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, visit www.ocberlinoptimistclub.org.

Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, 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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2026 WPS OC Berlin Optimist Art Winners: Participants in the 2026 WPS Optimist Club Art Awards are shown standing with artwork and ribbons. From the left are the 3rd place winner in Drawing, Elena Gjoni (Ocean City, MD), Honorable Mention in Painting, Levi Phillips (Ocean City, MD), and 2nd place winner in Drawing, Nate Friedman (Ocean City, MD). Not pictured is the 1st place winner in Drawing Hayden Wagner.

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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.