Cypress Woods High School freshman Lisa Lin’s artwork “Every Saturday Since,” earned Best of Show in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Feb. 26, 2026—CFISD’s winners in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) School Art Program were announced after undergoing multiple rounds of judging.  

A total of 20 winners were selected from the Elementary, Middle School and High School divisions and will be displayed in the Hayloft Gallery at NRG Center during the HLSR, March 2-22.

Bridgeland High School senior Bolin Xiang’s artwork “Trouble on the Trail,” earned Best of Show in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. Xiang was named a cash premium prize winner.

CFISD art teachers used two rounds of judging to determine the top pieces that advanced to the official HLSR School Art Program contest at NRG Stadium. The initial round of judging also helped select pieces that were displayed at the CFISD Rodeo Art Exhibit, held Jan. 27 at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center.

The 2026 contest marks the third time Cypress Woods High School junior Gabriella Bartczak had her artwork selected to advance to the School Art Auction. The School Art Auction will be held on March 15 at NRG Center.

Bridgeland High School sophomore Kaitlyn Ricci’s artwork “Bruno and his Gang,” won a gold medal in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

The following CFISD students earned Rodeo Art awards:

In the High School Division:

• Cypress Woods High School freshman Lisa Lin won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Every Saturday Since.”
• Bridgeland High School senior Bolin Xiang won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Trouble on the Trail.” Xiang was named a cash premium prize winner.
• Bridgeland sophomore Kaitlyn Ricci won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Bruno and his Gang.”
• Cypress Woods junior Gabriella Bartczak won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Wrangle Ranch.” Bartczak’s piece was also selected for the rodeo art auction.
• Cypress Falls High School senior Aliyah Robles won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Around Our Home.”
• Cypress Ranch High School freshman Minh Hoang won a special merit award for her artwork titled “A Mellow Day.”
• Bridgeland junior Emma Cardenas won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Breathe.”
• Cypress Falls junior Ma’Delly Hermida won a special merit award for her artwork titled “The Quiet Offering.”
• Bridgeland senior Eleanor Tietigen won a special merit award for her artwork titled “One Last Ride.”
• Cypress Lakes High School senior Rianne Genova won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Rough Housin’.”

In the Middle School Division:

• Sprague Middle School seventh grade student Sarah Liu won Best of Show for her artwork titled “You and I.”
• Sprague eighth grade student Audrey Nguyen won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Lone Star Rising.”
• Sprague seventh grade student Jovy Lee won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Waiting.”
• Sprague eighth grade student Jaydon Xu won a special merit award for his artwork titled “The Golden Thread.”
• Hamilton Middle School eighth grade student Isabella LaRue won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Where the Wind Stands Still.”
• Hamilton eighth grade student Chloe Ruiz won a special merit award for her artwork titled “Coop Duty.”
• Hamilton eighth grade student Nathan Nguyen won a special merit award for his artwork titled “Remnants of the West.”

In the Elementary School Division:

• Wells Elementary School fifth grade student Shirley Liu won Best of Show for her artwork titled “Eye Contact.”
• Sampson Elementary School first grade student Tamim Kotb won a gold medal for his artwork titled “Colorful Cow.”
• Warner Elementary School second grade student Ngoc Nguyen won a gold medal for her artwork titled “Night Sky Cactus.”

Cypress Woods High School junior Gabriella Bartczak’s artwork “Wrangle Ranch,” won a gold medal in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program. Bartczak’s piece was also selected for the rodeo art auction.

Cypress Falls High School senior Aliyah Robles’ artwork “Around Our Home,” won a gold medal in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Cypress Ranch High School freshman Minh Hoang’s artwork “A Mellow Day,” won a special merit award in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Bridgeland High School junior Emma Cardenas’ artwork “Breathe,” won a special merit award in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Cypress Falls High School junior Ma’Delly Hermida’s artwork “The Quiet Offering,” won a special merit award in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Bridgeland High School senior Eleanor Tietjen’s artwork “One Last Ride,” won a special merit award in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Cypress Lakes High School senior Rianne Genova’s artwork “Rough Housin’,” won a special merit award in the High School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Sprague Middle School seventh grade student Sarah Liu’s artwork “You and I” earned Best of Show in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Sprague Middle School eighth grade student Audrey Nguyen’s artwork “Lone Star Rising,” won a gold medal in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Sprague Middle School seventh grade student Jovy Lee’s artwork “Waiting,” won a special merit award in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Sprague Middle School eighth grade student Jaydon Xu’s artwork “The Golden Thread,” won a special merit award in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Hamilton Middle School eighth grade student Isabella LaRue’s artwork “Where the Wind Stands Still,” won a special merit award in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Hamilton Middle School eighth grade student Chloe Ruiz’s artwork “Coop Duty,” won a special merit award in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Hamilton Middle School eighth grade student Nathan Nguyen’s artwork “Remnants of the West,” won a special merit award in the Middle School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Wells Elementary School fifth grade student Shirley Liu’s artwork “Eye Contact,” earned Best of Show in the Elementary School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Sampson Elementary School first grade student Tamim Kotb’s artwork “Colorful Cow,” won a gold medal in the Elementary School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.

Warner Elementary School second grade student Ngoc Nguyen’s artwork “Night Sky Cactus,” won a gold medal in the Elementary School Division of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Program.