Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Insun "Sunny" Kim's '18 talent and creativity are evident in her various award-winning works of art.
What can't be seen, though, is Sunny's courage, and that is what makes her latest award that much more remarkable.
Sunny was named a national medalist for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards March 19 by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.
Sunny's woodcarving of "Sleeping People" was rated in the top 1 percent of the 350,000 submissions, which in itself is astounding.
However, what makes Sunny's accomplishment even more fascinating is that this was her first attempt at a woodcarving sculpture.
"I didn't expect (the national award)," Sunny admitted. (Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair) Mr. (Paul) Bloomfield said no one gets that."
Sunny found inspiration to attempt a woodcarving after seeing an exhibit in Seoul, Korea, by Henri Rousseau while she was home for the summer. She soon purchased a few pieces of wood and started sketching, which she found difficult because "of the texture and shape of the wood."
"From that I created a drawing and sculpture of people sleeping," explained Sunny, who has been interested in art for as long as she can remember. "I started drawing and it took shape."
After nearly a month, Sunny finished her three-piece project, with four faces of people sleeping carved in detail and creativity.
Sunny entered her sculpture into the Massachusetts Scholastic Art & Writing Contest, winning a Gold Key in January. By earning an award at the highest state level, Sunny's work was automatically entered into the national competition.
Sunny has been accepted into and will attend the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan upon her graduation at WMA.