Like so many other talented artists, sometimes Momoka Matsuo is her own worst critic.

The Ohio Art Education Association, however, is not one of Matsuo’s critics, and might actually be one of her biggest groups of fans. 

In preparation for Youth Art Month in March, the OAEA named one of the Troy Junior High School eighth grader’s painted pieces the best in the state. 

“I thought it did not look good at all because I don’t really paint, I just shade,” Matsuo said of her painted 3-foot by 5-foot flag, which focused on the 2026 Youth Art Month Theme, “The World Needs Art.” 

The Youth Art Month (YAM) Flag contest is both a state and national contest, while the graphic contest is a statewide contest. At the state level, an overall winner is chosen from grades K-12 for the flag and the graphic contest. Their artwork is made into a flag or posters to represent Ohio. The YAM flag goes on to be displayed at the National Art Education conference. The graphic design is used to promote and celebrate Youth Art Month in Ohio.

Not only did Matsuo win first place for grades 6-8, she also was the overall flag winner for all Ohio students in grades K-12. 

“I almost cried,” Matsuo said of finding out she had won. “I was so happy.” 

Matsuo and Troy Junior High School art teacher Laura Cantrell  will be recognized at Ohio’s Youth Art Month Awards Ceremony on March 14 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. 

“Momoka is an exceptional art student,” Cantrell said. “Her work is not only skillfully crafted, but it is also incredibly thoughtful. When she submitted this piece, I was honestly moved. It's like a dramatic still frame in a movie when the camera pans away from the action to show us a tension-filled still life of objects that leaves you with anxiety about events to come – like the vibrating cup of water in Jurassic Park! The feeling and concept behind this particular artwork is certainly what makes it stand out.”

Ever humble, Matsuo said she’s most looking forward to seeing what the other young artists have produced when she goes to the ceremony. 

“I’m excited to see different types of art,” she said. “I love seeing different types of art because I can’t create it and it just looks really cool.” 

Because Matsuo’s design was also selected as the Overall Flag Design Winner for the state of Ohio, her design was made into a 3’ x 5’ flag to represent Ohio at the National Art Education Association’s Museum Flag Exhibit in Chicago in early March. Matsuo will also receive her own flag.

“Momoka not only made it on the list of notables from her grade, but the overall state flag winner,” Cantrell said. “We are incredibly proud of her representing our state at the National Art Education Association Conference!”