Quail Valley Elementary students honored for artwork

Mayor Bill Zimmerman poses with winners of the Quail Valley Elementary Mayor's Choice Awards.

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Students at Quail Valley Elementary School received a special visit from Mayor Bill Zimmerman and his wife Julie last week. The two special guests were present to check out student artwork and select winners for the school’s Mayor’s Choice Awards.

Throughout October, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, students at Quail Valley Elementary participated in various art projects. Students specifically studied and duplicated art styles featuring Hispanic artists.

“The artwork is a fantastic blend of visual arts and history,” said Dr. Sarah Ragusa, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “The students done an amazing job! It is obvious that every brush stroke, marking, and composition was carefully taught and beautifully executed.”

With the leadership and support of Lily Peña, principal, and Lesley Stevens, teacher, each grade level studied a different artist, art style, and country. Kindergarten studied animals and the geography of El Salvador. They created watercolor toucans. First graders learned about famous Cuban-Americans as well as the geography and animals of Cuba. They painted a flamingo.

Second graders learned about famous Mexican-Americans and studied the traditions and customs of Mexico. In particular, they learned about Dia de los Muertos. They created construction paper sugar skull designs. Third graders learned about the geography and animals of the rainforest of Panama. They designed a drawing of a sloth habitat.

Fourth graders studied folk art of Puerto Rico including Vejigante masks, which have been worn in Puerto Rico Carnival festivals for hundreds of years. Fourth graders also learned about the Coqui frog, which is the unofficial national symbol of Puerto Rico. The coqui frog is often depicted in Puerto Rican street art in many large cities. Fifth graders studied contemporary artist Okuda San Miguel, whose geometric art designs and sculptures can be seen all over the world. Fifth graders used watercolors to create geometric animals representing his style of modern art.

There were two winners in every grade level and two overall “best in show” winners. Congratulations to Spencer Schuldt (Kindergarten) and Emily Vazquez (fifth grade)! Here is a list of the winners:

Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten: Tallulah Danielle, Cesario Diaz
1st Grade: Brooklyn Stowell, Victoria Chu
2nd Grade: Alexa Higareda, Anabelle Tafoya
3rd Grade: Yuri Leon, Emely Hernandez
4th Grade: Amber Guerrero, Addy Bahena
5th Grade: Angeline Miramontes

Mayor Zimmerman said, “I really enjoyed seeing the pride and excitement on each student's face when we praised them for their artistic talent.”