December 15, 2023 - Two Comal ISD artists were among the top 25 honorees for the annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Western Art Contest this year which had more than 600 entries.
In the drawing/graphite category, the entry of a barrel racer by Emily Ingram, a senior from Smithson Valley High School, received a first-place ribbon and was selected as a Top 25 finalist.
Ingram has been entering the Western Art Contest for the past three years and has received first place and Top 25 finalist every year. Ingram’s art teacher at SVHS is Lizette Floyd.
The pen and ink artwork of donkeys created by Sophia Soranno from Canyon Lake High School received a first-place ribbon as well and was selected as a Top 25 finalist, as well. This was her second year to enter the contest. Soranno’s art teacher at CLHS is Nell Anderson.
Also receiving a first-place ribbon was CLHS student Kevin Mendoza who created a mixed media sculpture of a calf and a rooster.
Judges select 48 pieces of art to receive a blue first-place ribbon. They then select four pieces from each category to win a first-place ribbon in that category. From there, two pieces are selected from each category to win the Top 25 ribbon. Between the top two pieces, one is selected as the Champion and receives a scholarship.
This year a Comal ISD student, Madeleine ‘Madz’ Patten, was named the Champion in the sculpture category, receiving a $10,000 scholarship. Read her story here.
The Western Art Contest is open to high school students in 183 eligible school districts and 54 counties with 12 scholarships awarded to the Champion in each class/category totaling $125,000.
The subject matter for all entries must be Western Art and represent the heritage, lifestyle and landscapes of the American West, both historical and present day.
Congratulations!
-Two Comal ISD students were among the Top 25 finalists of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Western Art Contest. Pictured top row from left is Sophia Soranno from Canyon Lake High School and Emily Ingram from Smithson Valley High School. Pictured on the bottom row from left is Soranno’s artwork and Ingram’s artwork.
-Canyon High School student Kevin Mendoza received a first-place honor at the 2024 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Western Art Contest for his mixed media sculpture.