Katy ISD student artists are making a powerful impression on one of the state’s biggest stages, with 13 students selected for the prestigious Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Auction, the district reported in a story posted to its website on March 20. Collectively, the students roped in an impressive $540,000 for art auction sales.

Selected from a highly competitive field of more than 200,000 student entries across Texas, Katy ISD artists rose to the very top of the competition. Of 200K entries, only 4,300 advanced as finalists; 796 were named winners and just 90 pieces were chosen for the elite Art Auction. Katy ISD claimed 13 coveted spots, along with two 3D premium selections, underscoring the District’s continued excellence in fine arts.

“This achievement speaks to the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication of our students and the strength of our fine arts programs,” Katy ISD Assistant Director of Fine Arts Laura Simoneaux said. “To have this many students recognized at the highest level, in one of the most competitive art programs in the nation, is remarkable. We are incredibly proud of how our students continue to represent Katy ISD with excellence on a statewide stage.”

All selected artworks are showcased in the Hayloft Gallery during the rodeo and featured in the HLSR online gallery, providing students with significant exposure and recognition.

Katy ISD’s continued success in the HLSR School Art Program highlights the District’s commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and artistic excellence across its campuses.

Title of Artwork Campus Student Name

Dinner at the Flower Meadow Cinco Ranch High School Silvana Orozco Mongui

Leaning Into Speed Jordan High School Victoria Zhou

Caught on Your Way Jordan High School Maggie Truong

Vowed In Two Spirits* Jordan High School Emmelyn Lewis

Horsehair Illusion Seven Lakes High School An An Nguyen

Carousel Ride* Taylor High School Claire Dai

Wistful Watchers Tompkins High School Corina Avila

Seeing Double Tompkins High School Phoebe Cho

Silent Affection Tompkins High School Yuexuan Han

Barreling To Victory Tompkins High School Smriddhi Jariwala

A Buck Above The Bull Tompkins High School Jeana Jeong

A Rooster's Resplendence Tompkins High School Ramanika Madineni

Her Moment Tompkins High School Neha Pagidi

Freedom's Gate Tompkins High School Avery Shakour

Bonds Unbroken Tompkins High School Sophia Shi

*3D Premium Selections