On Saturday evening, WHHS competed in Mayor Mattie Parker's Art Show at Fort Works Art. We had five pieces of art that were selected from about 900 entries to be included in the show. They only pick 40–45 pieces for the show, so just getting into it is an accomplishment.

Art from Nikole Aceves, Jimmy Rangel, and Belle Galvez (3 pieces) were picked.

Congrats to Belle Galvez, who took 1st Place, which comes with a $500 prize and a stylish trophy.

In addition to that, patrons bought two of her paintings, one for $500 and one for $250, so she scored $1250 on Saturday, which she commented, "That's more than I make in a month (at her job)!" Belle schmoozed with the mayor and had photographers all over her for the remainder of the evening. Her winning piece will hang in the Mayor's office for the next year.

I'm extremely proud of my kids, especially Belle, who has had quite a year of accomplishments.

On April 26th and 27th, Mrs. Laforge and I traveled with four students to San Marcos for the State Art Competition and smashed it! Kateline Reygadas, Dorian Leyva (2 art pieces), Jada Simpson, & Karen Rascon came to compete.

HUGE Congrats to Mrs. LaForge for guiding Karen Rascon to success and bringing our 2^nd Gold Seal to Western Hills HS in the past three years.

In addition to the Gold Seal, our kids also brought back Gold Medals:
Kateline - Gold Medal
Dorian - TWO Gold Medals
Karen - Gold Medal & Gold Seal

This year there were over 33,000 competitors.

In the state competition, if you receive a Gold Medal, it means you received a perfect score. Usually about 900 in the state are given. Gold Seals are the top award. Traditionally, only 150 (160 this year) Gold Seals are awarded in the entire state. It would be statistically equivalent to placing in the Top 3 at State in a sport.

On a side note, I want to point out the amazingly successful year Mrs. LaForge has had.

Earlier in the year, her student, Idaly, won $1000 and the grand prize in which her art will be placed on the side of a 4-story condo along I-35 that hundreds of thousands will drive by each year.

She had the 3^rd most State qualifiers of all the art teachers in FWISD.
She helped her student bring the 2^nd ever Gold Seal to WHHS at State.

Last night was the finale of the Fort Worth Senior Portfolio Competition. Jimmy Rangel and Mary "Belle" Galvez previously made the cut to the Top 10, and last night they rocked!. This is a competition based on the culmination of four years of dedicated work in the visual arts. So, it's not just quality, but also quantity. As a reminder, we compete against 4A, 5A, and 6A schools within Fort Worth ISD. (Heights, Paschal, Northside, IM Terrell, etc.)

Jimmy Rangel placed 3rd!
Mary "Belle" Galvez took the crown as District Champion, 1^st Place!

We've placed and won before, but this is our first time having two of the Top 3 in one year.

I would like to give a sincere thank you to Mrs. Flores, Mrs. Bowers, and Mrs. Espree for coming out and supporting the kids. They were very excited to see administrators there as they basked in their victories.

On a personal note, my beautiful wife Krista, who teaches at AHHS, and her student Jordan, placed 2nd. So our house swept the Top 3, which was exciting for us as a couple.

If you would like to see the exhibition, it is up through the weekend, just down the street, at House of Neville Gallery, near Tokyo Cafe on Camp Bowie.

Next Thursday, April 11th, two of your children, Belle & Jimmy, will be competing for the crown of District Champion in the Senior Show, and it's just down Camp Bowie this year.

Last night, Fort Worth ISD held it's annual District Art Show and District Senior Portfolio Show.

In the District Show, we compete against all Fort Worth ISD Schools (4A-6A) and Mrs. LaForge and I had several winners.

Top 3 Winners in the District Art Show (with category in which they placed):

Ella Chamberlain - Sculpture
Yareli Gutierrez - Mixed Media
Mya Mendez - Mixed Media
Mya Mendez - Fibers

Also, the Top 10 Senior Portfolios were announced. Over 140 seniors submitted their portfolios for the district show, and from there the Top 10 are selected for an exclusive show at a private gallery on April 11th. At that show, the Top 3 winners will be announced and win scholarships. Little WHHS had 20% of the Top 10 for the 4^th straight year, a big accomplishment competing against schools with six & seven art teachers.

The following seniors at WHHS submitted portfolios:

Angelica Massie, Elle Chamberlain, Dorian Leyva, Mya Mendez, Idaly Ramirez, Yareli Gutierrez, Belle Galvez, & Jimmy Rangel

Congratulations to Belle Galvez and Jimmy Rangel for making the Top 10 this year!!!

Belle & Jimmy will advance to the Top 10 show and compete for a Top 3 spot and District Champion.

Below are their submissions. The first pics are Belle, then Jimmy's. If you see any of the above-mentioned kids, please give them some congrats!