Colton High School opened in 1895. It is one of the oldest high schools in the Inland Empire. In this daily feature, we celebrate Colton High’s rich history.

On April 28, 1985 three juniors placed in the Women’s Cub Art Contest. The winner that year was Eric Huckaby, with Soyhomara Lam taking second place, and Jee Seon Park taking third place.

The winner received $50 and a ribbon. The work was guaranteed submission into a state competition.

For Huckaby, he almost didn’t enter the contest. “I thought the contest would be hard, and I wasn’t even going to enter,” he said. “I brought my painting to the school fifteen minutes before the representative came to pick it up, and I didn’t expect to win. But I was really excited I did because I needed the money.”

Back in the 80s, according to art teacher, Eugene La Plante, “Every year the Grand Terrace and Colton Women’s Club get together and put on an art contest. We had winners every year. Some had gone to state finals. Eric, Soyhomara, and Jee are all juniors, so that gives them a chance to try and do as well next year.”