Sophie Eichner of Deep Run High School is one of 152 finalists who will attend YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida in January.

As a visual artist, “Sophie Eichner is curious about the world, always asking ‘How come?’ and ‘What if?’ types of questions in her ever-present visual journals. Not only does Sophie think big ideas, she also has the mental capacity and work ethic to see them realized,” said her art teacher of three years, Michael Guyer. “Sophie Eichner is cultured and curious in a way that I just haven’t seen before.”

The students attending YoungArts Week were selected in a blind adjudication process from a pool representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as all U.S. territories. The adjudication process will continue during YoungArts Week to determine further award levels. Monetary awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 will be presented to students exhibiting excellence in their discipline.

From this pool of 152 YoungArts Finalists also will be determined as 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an award given at the White House with the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

“Sophie is an artist in more ways than most of the students that I have had the opportunity to teach,” Guyer said.