Southmore Intermediate School advanced art students recently claimed all of the top spots in Texas and Houston-area Ford Motor Company Fund 2005 Hispanic Heritage Art Contest, as well as one student's artwork advancing to the national competition in Detroit.

Southmore's Sergio Gutierrez collected the first-place prize in Houston and at the state competition, and William Rojas received second place in both competitions. Ivet Gonzalez was awarded third place in the Houston competition, and Ivan Sanchez claimed fourth place among the Houston winners and received third in the state competition.

Gutierrez advanced to the national competition for placing first in the state. His prize for advancing was an all-expense paid trip to Detroit for he and his parents to attend the awards ceremony as well as to tour the Ford plant and museum.

"Any teacher would be extremely proud of their students succeeding at these levels," said the eighth grade advanced art teacher Shannon Raygoza. "Our students have drive, determination and we are constantly expecting the best of every student whether in the advanced class or not. The students need hard work, patience, stamina and the ability to dream on a large scale to
achieve this type of artistic recognition."

Each fall, The Ford Motor Company Fund and the Houston Chronicle sponsor the Hispanic Heritage Art Contest to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The contest is open to fourth through eighth grade students who are asked to submit a drawing or painting they feel represents a positive, influential Hispanic along with a short essay describing why they chose that person. The top four artworks in the Houston area are chosen and are placed in competition with the winners from the Dallas and San Antonio areas. Each winner received a Ford Hispanic Heritage Award and Certificate of Merit at a special reception.

The students are required to research Hispanics who have contributed to their culture, U.S. advancements, politics, science and other important matters. Raygoza said this makes the competition an excellent educational experience for the students.

"The students had to put their Internet, research and composition skills to work in this competition, which allowed them to further their education of Hispanic heritage," she said. "They were also able to learn about time management and expand their portfolios for continued advancement in the
arts. When the students achieve recognition at this level and the awards lead to travel outside of Pasadena, our students are exposed to different aspects of society, different cultures and develop an excitement for experiencing more of the world."

Raygoza said she selects several students from the advanced art class to participate in the competition and gives it to them as an assignment. Last year, student Orlando Gudino entered the competition and received the first-place award in Houston. This year, Raygoza entered four students in the competition.

"Our students respond well to positive recognition and the more they receive, the more they want and the harder they work to perfect not only their artistic skills and techniques, but they strive to have a good attendance record as well," Raygoza said. "These state and national awards
put both Pasadena ISD and our school on the map for excellence."

Raygoza said she hopes to enter more students into next year's competition and to advance and place at the national level next year. She also said this year's success in the competition has presented a more challenging prospect for next year's competition with even greater goals to achieve.

"Our art students are consistently recognized for the quality of work they produce," said school principal Lana Stahl. "When our students are able to exhibit their finished products, they have such a sense of accomplishment and pride. This in turn motivates them to continue the tradition of
excellence and to dedicate the time and energy needed to produce quality pieces."

Raygoza and her husband Victor both teach for Southmore's art program, and Pasadena ISD's director of fine arts Linda Fletcher said to have them both teaching in the district is phenomenal.

"The Raygozas' share the same passion for art, teaching and for their students," Fletcher said. "Their students consistently receive top honors in art contests, including monetary and scholarship prizes. It is a privilege to work with these two educators as I get to see first-hand the strong relationships they build with the students and the unique way they nurture the talents of each individual. We are lucky to have them."