Twenty Pearland Independent School District artists were recently selected to advance in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art program competition. Their artwork is moving on to the next round of judging known as Grand Prix, in which 72 pieces of art will be chosen by judges to be auctioned for student awards and the rodeo’s educational fund. Additionally, one student was awarded gold merit in the inaugural judging of the Special Needs category.
These students won best of show, gold medal and special merit for their Western-themed art during rodeo art judging held on Jan. 11:
Best of Show:
- Gracin Nguyen, Dawson High School – Evening Glow
- Ella Lu, Dawson High School – Galloping Bronco (3D)
- Sion Joo, Dawson High School – Warrior’s Stride (3D)
- Reese Whitley, Alexander Middle School – Ready for Lunch
- Rubi Thorn, Berry Miller Junior High – The First Glimpse
Gold Medal:
- Brice Rudis, Dawson High School – Securing the Cinch
- Katherine Xie, Dawson High School – For the Buckle
- Sarah Zhang, PJH West – Passing the Torch
- William Kliesing, Rustic Oak Elementary – That Sheep
- Giana Silva, Sablatura Middle School – Special Needs Category – My Horse
Special Merit:
- Faith Victoria Ni, Dawson High School – Coat of Many Colors
- Jack Liu, Dawson High School – Lone Star
- Jemi Dequina, Dawson High School – When Life is Trough
- Lauren Oishi, Dawson High School – To Saddle the Wind
- Emily Kopetz, Dawson High School – The Stare
- Sion Joo, Dawson High School – Good Morning Sunshine
- Tanner Tran, Dawson High School – Broken In
- Wendy Yin, Dawson High School – This Won’t Hurt
- Ella Lu, Dawson High School – Rush Hour
- Natalie Burleson, Pearland High School – T-Minus 8 Seconds
- Shelby Clauson, Pearland High School – Maple
The Art teacher from Dawson High School is Teri Zuteck; from Pearland High School are Guillermo Jimenez and Laura Rice; from Pearland Junior West is Christa George; from Berry Miller Junior High is Sara Mendoza, from Alexander Middle School is Isaac Mardis, from Sablatura Middle School is Rhiana Cass and from Rustic Oak Elementary is Elan Lam.
Pearland ISD congratulates the students and their art teachers on this great achievement.