Since graduating from LuHi in 2004, Megan (Polson) Ripke attended Concordia University Nebraska, where she studied painting and art education. After she graduated in 2008, she found success pursuing her passion for watercolor painting. Megan shares a little about what she has been up to in recent years:
Recent Awards and Accolades
In 2023, Megan had a painting accepted into the Transparent Watercolor Society of America’s 47th annual exhibition. She shares, "I was fortunate enough to receive an award at that show. In 2024 my paintings were accepted into seven national shows. One of my paintings won 4th place at the Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition. I also had a painting receive an Award of Merit at the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Aqueous Open, Honorable Mention at the Women in Watercolor International Juried Exhibition, and another acceptance into the Transparent Watercolor Society of America in 2024."
Her mother was the main inspiration for her to pursue watercolor as her primary medium. "I have been painting in watercolor my entire life. My greatest inspiration was my mother, Mary Ellen Polson, who taught me a lot about art and watercolor. When I was growing up, my mom was the one who bought me art supplies. I learned a lot from watching her draw and paint."
Megan's mom has recently suffered significant cognitive decline from dementia and is no longer able to paint or create art. As Megan recounts this difficult time in her life, her faith shines through, "Mary Ellen Polson was a former art teacher at Lutheran High School Parker. [Her dementia] has been devastating for my entire family, as she is so young. Dementia is not something you can describe, it can only be experienced.
I have paintings and drawings that my mom made hanging in my house, and I look at them every day. They remind me where my inspiration comes from and why I make art. I can see parts of my mom in her paintings and how she saw and responded to the world. These “recordings” of her thoughts are captured in her artwork.
It doesn’t matter if these works are displayed in prestigious shows or just in the hallways of a family member. They are pieces of someone I love. My three siblings (Matt Polson, Ben Polson, and Amy Randall, all LuHi Alumni) have all pulled together to help my dad (Steve Polson) care for my mom during this time. Matt has been the most involved, frequently providing my dad with the “hands on” help the rest of my family isn’t able to provide.
I am fortunate to be able to experience and see what unconditional love looks like when I watch my dad love and care for my mom, or when I simply hold her hand when I come to visit. I see what faith in God is when I attend church with my parents. Despite my mom’s cognitive decline, she still participates in worship and proclaims her love for Jesus.
She doesn't always recognize who I am, but she still recognizes her Savior.
When everything else is stripped away from us, we still have our faith and hope in Jesus Christ. Nothing, not even a disease that attacks your brain and cognitive abilities, can strip away the hope we have in Jesus Christ. This is what truly matters in life, not artwork, or awards, or accomplishments.
This is the most important thing students attending Lutheran High can learn. It is something they will carry with them no matter what their life brings after they graduate."
Megan also reflects on her time at LuHi and the impact her mom, as well as other teachers, had on her formative years. "Ronald Brandhorst had a lasting impact on just about everyone, me included. There were two other teachers who had a lasting impact on my life. One was my art teacher, Mark Hollenbeck. He always encouraged me in my art classes. The other teacher was my mom, who taught at the Parker Campus. She was my constant encouragement and inspiration. I have no doubt she had an impact on all her art students at Lutheran High in Parker during her time there.
My favorite memories at Lutheran High School in Denver were running track and Cross Country. I have so many good memories from these times. Cross country really taught me how to work hard and push myself to my limits. I made so many good friends, some who I still have contact with."
For current high schoolers hoping to pursue an art career, she offers this advice, "Don’t stop creating your own artwork. It doesn’t matter whether your art is “good” or “bad,” enjoying the process is what is important. Create art that you love. Accept criticism from others as an opportunity to grow. I make art because I love doing it, and it is a part of who I am. The success I’ve had along the way is a bonus."
Megan is currently navigating “submission season” in the watercolor world. "I hope to be featured in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America again this year, but if my painting isn’t accepted, I will continue to do what I’ve been doing: paint what I love."
We are excited to see Megan in more national art exhibitions in the coming years. Please join us in praying for her and her family as they care for beloved former LuHi Teacher and mom, Mrs. Polson. Megan's whole family is an amazing example of faith in a Savior who is greater than any illness and will one day return to make all things new.
View Megan's artwork on her website: https://www.meganripke.com/
If you are a LuHi alumn or know a LuHi alumn who has a great story to share, please email hannah.buchholz@lhsparker.org.
