For the third consecutive year, Southmore Intermediate School art students have claimed Houston’s top four winning spots in the Ford Motor Company Fund Hispanic Heritage Art Contest, as well as one student’s artwork advancing to the state competition in this year’s contest.

Southmore’s eighth grader Ruby Madrigal received third place in Houston and collected the second place prize against the best in Dallas, San Antonio and Brownsville in the state competition. Seventh grader Francisco Trevino took Houston’s first place prize while eighth graders Mayra Sosa and Jesus Gudina claimed the third and fourth place prizes, respectively.

Madrigal received a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond, a Ford Hispanic Heritage Award and Certificate of Merit for her placement at the state competition.

“I am very proud of our students and their accomplishments, as each year the competition expands and develops creating higher standards of excellence,” said Southmore’s advanced art teacher Victor Raygoza.

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.

“Southmore Intermediate School has participated in the contest for the past three years and has taken Houston’s top places every year,” said Stephanie Bohorquez, senior development and circulation administration coordinator for the Houston Chronicle. “This Contest has demonstrated those students’ commitment to learning and understanding the importance of different cultures and heritages in our rich and diverse history.”

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

“This contest can be used as a measuring stick for their capabilities against their peers throughout the region, state and nation, as well as expand their knowledge of Hispanic leaders,” said Raygoza. “It helps them to better understand their heritage, it gives them a taste of competition and it helps them to develop intuition as to what viewers like and appreciate.”

In last year’s contest, Southmore eighth grader Sergio Guitierrez won first place in Houston and at the state competition, advancing to nationals in Detroit.

Although Southmore winners didn’t advance to this year’s national competition, Raygoza said he has high hopes for his participants in next year’s competition.

“To place in this competition, the students’ artwork needs to be technically sound, visually appealing, portray a strong message and have a well written essay,” Raygoza said. “These students are dedicated to their artwork, taking it home almost every night. They endure constant constructive criticism in order to better themselves. I have no doubt that our students will place in the national competition in future contests.”