2024 State VASE honors students from four district high schools
Pieces of art made by students in Arlington ISD are making their way across Texas.
That’s because the students were named All-State Artists and Gold Seal Award Winners at the 2024 State VASE (Visual Art Scholastic Event) this past April.
Jurors selected artwork that represents the goals of VASE and are exemplary examples of concept, technique, craftsmanship and creativity. With over 33,000 regional entries submitted, only 166 were selected for the Gold Seal.
Each piece has or will be featured in an exhibition at the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, the Texas Art Education Association Conference and more.
“For these students, receiving this honor signifies a significant achievement and recognition of their hard work and dedication to the arts,” said Arlington ISD assistant director of fine arts Linh Nguyen. “It highlights the importance of their artistic contribution, which may go unnoticed. By celebrating their talents and success not only do we boost their confidence, but we also provide them with a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.”
This year, Arlington and Lamar high school students received Gold Seals for the fourth time. And students from Sam Houston and Bowie High School became the first from their schools to receive the honor. That makes Arlington ISD one of the few in the state to have Gold Seal honors at four different high schools.
“This achievement is a direct result of our centralized fine arts funding,” Nguyen said. “It has allowed students to access high-quality resources and equipment to compete with other districts in the state.”
Students also had the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, sketching and competing for scholarships the weekend of the event.
“I am extremely proud of these students,” Nguyen said. “Their achievement represents not just their individual talent and hard work, but also their commitment to personal growth and creativity as a student artist and individual. Being recognized as a Gold Seal recipient is the ultimate celebration of the student’s dedication and passion. My hope is that they are inspired to keep pushing the boundaries and pursuing excellence in their artistic journey, ultimately leading to greater opportunities in their lives and making an impact in their communities.”
With the support of their dedicated art teachers, these students have made their way into the top 7% of student artists in the state of Texas.
“This truly reflects the district’s commitment to excellence in the fine arts and enhances the educational experience,” Nguyen said. “Supporting these initiatives defines and further strengthens our Arlington ISD mission, ensuring that every student is successful and can thrive in a well-rounded educational environment.”
Congratulations to the four Gold Seal recipients:
Keira Cloud – Arlington High School
Emily Phan – Bowie High School
Jude Rodriguez – Lamar High School
Virgina Ozuna – Sam Houston High School