The 2015 CISD Western Art Show highlights wide array of student talent

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Conroe Independent School District Western Art Show competition was held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus. The event, sponsored by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Association, featured approximately 650 student art pieces portraying a western theme. Conroe ISD students in grades K-12 across all 60 campuses were showcased in the display prepared by District art teachers for judging by a team from the HLSR Association.

Ten students had their artwork selected for exhibition in the Hayloft Gallery at Reliant Center for the duration of the rodeo. The winning artwork is also eligible for auction, which funds student scholarships.

Winners in each category along with the art teacher are as follows:

Best of Show: Jackie Rowell (grade 12), The Woodlands College Park High School, Betty Arnold, teacher; Dorothy Nie (grade 8), McCullough Junior High School, Laurie Adams, teacher; Tracy Chalico (grade 3), Austin Elementary School, Kathleen Bartlett, teacher.

Gold Medal Award: Ignacio Garcia (grade 12), The Woodlands High School, Jen Lucas, teacher; Courtney Nelson (grade 12), The Woodlands High School, Jen Lucas, teacher; Chloe Pascual (grade 8), McCullough Junior High School, Laurie Adams, teacher; and Cassandra Bishop (grade 4), Birnham Woods Elementary School, Dena Alvarez, teacher.

High School Special Merit Award: Martha Ortiz (grade 12), The Woodlands High School, Jen Lucas, teacher; Stacy Larsen (grade 10), Oak Ridge High School, Mary Kiesewetter, teacher; and Helen Wang (grade 9), The Woodlands High School 9th Grade Campus, Amanda Casey, teacher.