Story reprinted from LEO Weekly Magazine, 2/3/2025
Written by Ezra Knapp

On January 27th, 2025, Kayci Shacklette, a sophomore attending Pleasure Ridge Park (PRP) High School was announced as the Kentucky Derby Museum’s Grand Prize Winner for their 39th annual Horsing Around With Art (HAWA) art competition.

Shacklette’s winning artwork, The Final Furlong, will be framed and displayed on the second floor of the museum from January 27th through April 18th. Museum leaders and PRP representatives surprised Shacklette with the news, gifting her a dozen red roses to celebrate the accomplishment. She received a Spring Race Day Experience prize package sponsored by Churchill Downs, and the PRP High School art department received $500 to purchase art supplies.

The competition this year drew 255 applicants, ranging across grades 1-12, and showcasing a variety of art styles and mediums. The Grand Prize is presented to the student whose artwork best embodies the spirit of the Kentucky Derby. Shacklette’s piece was praised by Mike Anderson, Churchill Downs Racetrack President, who stated in a press release, “The Final Furlong truly captures the spirit of the Kentucky Derby as thousands of fans cheer during the final stretch of the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

Patrick Armstrong, President and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Museum, explained the core purpose of the HAWA competition: “Horsing Around With Art is our way of supporting and funding the arts in local schools while encouraging students to explore their creativity through the lens of the Kentucky Derby. We are honored to celebrate the incredible talent of these young artists and provide a platform to showcase their work for our community.”

The museum will distribute a total of $6,000 in prizes to the winning schools’ art departments. A special ceremony will be held at the Kentucky Derby Museum on March 4th to celebrate participating students and winners.

Information provided by Katrina Helmer, Director of Communications, Kentucky Derby Museum.

@derbymuseum

We had so much fun surprising this year’s Horsing Around With Art (HAWA) winner! PRP High School’s Kayci Shacklette will have her artwork framed and displayed at the museum for thousands of guests to see. Congratulations! #art #KentuckyDerby #DerbyMuseum #artist

♬ Memories – Lux-Inspira