Bookmarks will be available at libraries
Originally published by the City of Arlington.
As part of the year-long Arlington150 celebration, the City of Arlington partnered with the Arlington Independent School District to invite sixth-grade students across the district to showcase their creativity and community pride through a special Arlington150 Bookmark Contest.
All sixth-grade classes throughout Arlington ISD were invited to participate by designing bookmarks inspired by Arlington’s history, future, landmarks, neighborhoods and community spirit as the city prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2026.
A panel of judges including Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and representatives from Arlington ISD reviewed submissions from campuses across the district and selected seven winning designs based on creativity, originality and how well they reflected the spirit of Arlington’s 150th anniversary.
The winners were recognized during the Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Arlington City Council meeting.
The Arlington150 Bookmark Contest winners are:
- Ximena Aldana – Berry Elementary
- Lauren Maqueda – Johns Elementary
- Emilia Navarro – Remynse Elementary
- Garrett Hosier – Little Elementary
- Atziry Marinez – Berry Elementary
- Cecilia Tran – JB Little Elementary
- Airiana Woods – Sherrod Elementary
Thanks to the generous support of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, each winning bookmark design will be professionally reproduced and distributed throughout the community as part of the Arlington150 celebration. One unique bookmark will be available at each of Arlington’s seven public library locations, giving residents the opportunity to visit every branch and collect the full commemorative series. In addition, bookmarks will be included in backpacks distributed during AISD’s annual Back to School Kickoff, helping share the Arlington150 celebration with students and families across the city.
“The Arlington150 celebration is about bringing our entire community together,” said Mayor Jim Ross. “This contest was a great way to engage students and families from across Arlington and ensure people of all ages have an opportunity to participate in celebrating our city’s 150th anniversary.”
Linh Nguyen, assistant director of Fine Arts – Visual Arts for Arlington ISD, said the contest gave students an opportunity to connect art, history and civic pride in a meaningful way.
“This partnership gave students a chance to express what Arlington means to them through art,” Nguyen said. “Projects like this help students see that their creativity matters and that they are an important part of the story and future of our city.”
The bookmark contest is one of many community engagement initiatives planned as part of Arlington’s 150th anniversary celebration, which will feature events, public art, storytelling projects and partnerships spanning all 99 square miles of the city.
The Arlington150 celebration is made possible through a generous partnership with the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, whose support is helping bring community-focused programs and initiatives to life throughout the city’s sesquicentennial year. Through this partnership, the winning bookmark designs are being professionally reproduced and distributed across Arlington, allowing students, families and residents to take part in celebrating the city’s 150th anniversary in a meaningful and lasting way.
To learn more about Arlington’s 150th anniversary celebration, visit Arlington150.com.