Following the theme “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Community,” students across the Vallejo City Unified School District showcased their creativity and participated in the first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month Student Art and Poetry Contest.
On Wednesday, four of 52 participants were selected as winners.
Throughout October, VCUSD students participated in a district-wide art contest and poetry contest with submissions centered around honoring the Hispanic and Latino cultures.
For a district where Latino students make up a majority of the student demographic, it was a month that marked particular significance.
The contest included entries from students across all grade spans, in four total categories: TK–2, grades 3–5, grades 6–8, and grades 9–12.
At the Oct. 28 Board of Education meeting, four students were honored for their contributions.
The youngest was Hayes Chadwick, enrolled in transitional kindergarten at Cave Language Academy.
Chadwick received recognition for his art submission titled “The Happy Taco,” using markers and pastel crayons on canvas.
“Inspired by his grandmother, who is from Mexico and makes his favorite tacos, his artwork celebrates the connection between food, family, and culture,” the district wrote in a press release on the announcement.
His artwork depicts a bright yellow taco, boating a huge smile.
Taking the honors in grades 3–5 was third-grader A’daya Simpson from Dan Mini Elementary School.
Simpson’s submission was part of a class project about Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Her entry depicts an abstract, almost cubist style in what appears to be a colorful portrait of a girl. Using several hues of blue and green, Simpson’s abstract work was a symbol of her artistic expression.
Lizbeth Rodriguez Aguirre, an 8th-grader at Hogan Middle School, received the honor for the 6-8 grade category, with her colorful art display featuring Lotería cards, a concha — or popular Mexican pastry, a sugar skull — i.e., calavera, and a Mother Mary candle.
“She selected these subjects because they were part of her experience growing up in a Mexican American household,” the release reads.
Receiving the distinction for the eldest category was Jasmin Albarado, enrolled in 11th grade at Jesse Bethel High School.
Her work combined several styles of art – mixing realism with a traditional art style from the Oriente region of El Salvador.
It depicts a white house in the distance, two torogoz birds – one a little more abstract than the other – and a flor de izote, or yucca plant. At the centerpiece of her canvas, she includes Salvadoran street foods: shaved ice with tamarind sauce and elote.
“The work celebrates both the imagery and artistic traditions of El Salvador,” the release writes.
The four winners received gift cards provided by ICU Technologies, a district contractor that supports school safety solutions.
“Our students have so much to share about their families, their cultures, and the way they see the world,” wrote VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio. “This contest gave them another way to tell those stories. We are proud of all 52 participants and grateful to the families and educators who encouraged their creativity.”
