There’s no better feeling for teachers than to see a student’s creativity in full bloom.  That’s clearly the case with Shelton junior Josie Hostin. She’s an artist, a musician, and she has a technically creative side to her brain as well.

Josie’s art was especially noticed in February 2017, when she presented a framed sketch of President Abraham Lincoln to teacher LuAnn Dolly.  She and Mrs. Dolly had a thing about American history.  “Mrs. Dolly is passionate about American history,” said Hostin, “and I guess I caught it from her.”  Hostin made the sketch expressly for her teacher.  “I knew she would love it.”  Said Dolly, “I’ve had many wonderful gifts from students over my 26 years, but this one is truly precious to me.”

Josie, who studies art at Shelton and also privately at an art academy, says she started drawing at age three or four.  The same Lincoln sketch was one of 24 Shelton student artists whose work was showcased on Presidents Day 2017 at a private exhibit hosted by the Addison business, GlobeRunner.

This year Josie attended the regional Texas Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) and won gold for her self-portrait oil painting titled The Colors of My Creativity. She’ll pack her bags for state competition in San Marcos in late April.

Josie also has musical talents.  She sings in Shelton’s choir and has studied voice privately with Blair King, Shelton’s vocal music instructor.  Says King, “Josie is developing an agile and powerful voice with an unusually high range for such a young singer, and she is successfully performing classical arias and arts songs that few high school singers have the range, agility, or breath control to attempt.”

In February Josie participated in the annual vocal solo competition offered by the Texas Private School Music Educators’ Association (TPSMEA).  Josie’s performance of Handel’s Care Selve ended on a high note, with Josie’s receiving a top rating and qualifying for state competition later this spring.