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Thirteen CFISD art students earn Rodeo Art awards

Cypress Springs High School senior Bridgeth Perez Sanchez’s artwork “Garden Harvest,” earned Best of Show.
Cypress Springs High School senior Bridgeth Perez Sanchez’s artwork “Garden Harvest,” earned Best of Show in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

Feb. 14, 2022—CFISD’s winners in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Program were announced after going through multiple district rounds of judging.  

Cypress Ridge High School sophomore Kamila Yepez’s artwork “At Sunrise,” earned a gold medal.
Cypress Ridge High School sophomore Kamila Yepez’s artwork “At Sunrise,” earned a gold medal in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

A total of 13 winners were selected from the High School, Middle School and Elementary divisions and will be displayed in the Hayloft Gallery at NRG Center during the HLSR, Feb. 28-March 20.

Cy-Fair High School senior Lily Forbes’ artwork “City Slickers,” earned a gold medal.
Cy-Fair High School senior Lily Forbes’ artwork “City Slickers,” earned a gold medal in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

The district used three rounds of judging. CFISD art teachers narrowed the more than 460 pieces down to the top 254. A total of 62 pieces were selected out of the 254 to be judged by HLSR School Art Program judges.

Cypress Ranch High School senior Tien Tran’s artwork “Milk & Cookie Love,” earned a special merit award.
Cypress Ranch High School senior Tien Tran’s artwork “Milk & Cookie Love,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

CFISD’s art students and their work were praised by judges throughout the judging process. The following CFISD students earned Rodeo Art awards:

In the High School division:

  • Cypress Springs High School senior Bridgeth Perez Sanchez won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Garden Harvest;”
  • Cypress Ridge High School sophomore Kamila Yepez won a gold medal for her artwork titled “At Sunrise;”
  • Cy-Fair High School senior Lily Forbes won a gold medal for her artwork titled “City Slickers;”
  • Cypress Ranch High School senior Tien Tran won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Milk & Cookie Love;”
  • Cy-Fair junior Geonhee Kim won a special merit award for his artwork titled “Saddling Up;”
  • Bridgeland High School sophomore Chelsea Nieva was a special merit award for her artwork titled “Serenity;”
  • Cypress Woods High School junior Ivy Wang won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Midsummer Ride;”
  • Cypress Ridge senior Kayla Le won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Waiting for the Drum;” and
  • Cypress Woods senior Ruchi Tiwari won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Under the Great Oak.”

Cy-Fair High School junior Geonhee Kim’s artwork “Saddling Up,” earned a special merit award.
Cy-Fair High School junior Geonhee Kim’s artwork “Saddling Up,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

In the Middle School division:

  • Salyards Middle School eighth grade student Shiruixue Fang won Best of Show for his artwork titled “Desirous of Love;” and
  • Goodson Middle School sixth grade student Vicky Xin won a gold medal for her artwork titled “The Great Horned Call!”

Bridgeland High School sophomore Chelsea Nieva’s artwork “Serenity,” earned a special merit award.
Bridgeland High School sophomore Chelsea Nieva’s artwork “Serenity,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

In the Elementary School division:

  • Bang Elementary School first grade student Kiara Keogh Palomino won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Miss Chicken Bubbles;” and
  • McFee Elementary School fifth grade student Brenda Guzman won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Old Friend.”

Cypress Woods High School junior Ivy Wang’s artwork “Midsummer Ride,” earned a special merit award.
Cypress Woods High School junior Ivy Wang’s artwork “Midsummer Ride,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

In addition to receiving top awards, Cypress Springs senior Bridgeth Perez-Sanchez’s and Cypress Woods senior Ruchi Tiwari’s pieces were selected for the School Art Auction, scheduled for March 13.

Cypress Ridge High School senior Kayla Le’s artwork “Waiting for the Drum,” earned a special merit award.
Cypress Ridge High School senior Kayla Le’s artwork “Waiting for the Drum,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

“Though each of the western-themed artworks are unique, what all 469 contest entries have in common is the intellectual drive and creative excellence that propelled students to participate,” said Lee Carrier, CFISD visual arts coordinator. “It is within the art rooms of our campuses where students have opportunities to consult a great source of inspiration and are taught that creativity takes courage and participation is the foundational key to success.”

“I would like to recognize the art teachers for cultivating the belief that success is not the destination, but the journey as they remind students to think positively, receive constructive feedback, improve and consistently chose to stay focused. As a result of our committed art teachers and students, the rodeo contest and exhibit were a success! I hope that the rodeo contest events have helped students find the inspiration needed to accomplish their dreams.”

Cypress Woods High School senior Ruchi Tiwari’s artwork “Under the Great Oak,” earned a special merit award.
Cypress Woods High School senior Ruchi Tiwari’s artwork “Under the Great Oak,” earned a special merit award in the High School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

Salyards Middle School eighth grade student Shiruixue Fang’s artwork “Desirous of Love,” earned Best of Show.
Salyards Middle School eighth grade student Shiruixue Fang’s artwork “Desirous of Love,” earned Best of Show in the Middle School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

Goodson Middle School sixth grade student Vicky Xin’s artwork “The Great Horned Call!,” earned a gold medal.
Goodson Middle School sixth grade student Vicky Xin’s artwork “The Great Horned Call!,” earned a gold medal in the Middle School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

Bang Elementary School first grade student Kiara Keogh Palomino’s artwork “Miss Chicken Bubbles,” earned Best of Show.
Bang Elementary School first grade student Kiara Keogh Palomino’s artwork “Miss Chicken Bubbles,” earned Best of Show in the Elementary School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. 

McFee Elementary School fifth grade student Brenda Guzman’s artwork “Old Friend,” earned a gold medal.
McFee Elementary School fifth grade student Brenda Guzman’s artwork “Old Friend,” earned a gold medal in the Elementary School division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.