In a virtual ceremony with participants, HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan on Wednesday unveiled the winners of its annual holiday greeting card student art competition from nearly 100 entries across the district.

“This event presents a special opportunity for the district to share our students’ artwork with the greater community,” Lathan said. “It is my pleasure to help showcase the work of our student artists and the fantastic work our fine arts teachers are doing to cultivate these talents across the district.”

The winners for 2020 – fifth-grader Ediel Chávez of Crespo Elementary School, seventh-grader Michell García of Wharton Dual Language Academy, and senior Viviana Pérez of Sam Houston MSTC – were among 18 finalists from elementary, middle, and high schools. All finalists received a boxed set of their holiday cards. The winners received gifts from sponsors Raising Canes, Jerry’s Artarama and the Glassel School of Art. All finalist holiday card designs will be available online for purchase.

“We are so proud of the fine arts that are produced by HISD students,” HISD Fine Arts Director Wenden Sanders said. “We hope our students have been inspired and felt their creative spirits invigorated by their fine arts teachers and the district.”

Each year, the district sends out hundreds of holiday greeting cards to principals, board members, legislators, local leaders, parent groups and community partners. Since 2003, these cards have featured the artwork of HISD students. The competition, organized by the HISD Community Partnerships Department, received 99 student submissions.

“I am really grateful for this opportunity,” Sam Houston MSTC senior and high school design winner Viviana Perez said. “Art is really important to me, and I really enjoy expressing myself this way.”

Holiday cards can be purchased online at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.