Katy ISD Students Win Big Totaling $540K at HLSR Art Auction
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
March 23, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo may have ended but Katy ISD students are still celebrating big wins in the annual art auction as Katy students totaled winnings of an impressive $540,000 for art auction sales.
Selected from a highly competitive field of more than 200,000 student entries across Texas, Katy ISD artists rose to the very top of the competition. Of 200K entries, only 4,300 advanced as finalists; 796 were named winners and just 90 pieces were chosen for the elite Art Auction. Katy ISD claimed 13 coveted spots, along with two 3D premium selections, underscoring the District’s continued excellence in fine arts.
“This achievement speaks to the extraordinary talent, creativity and dedication of our students and the strength of our fine arts programs,” says Katy ISD Assistant Director of Fine Arts Laura Simoneaux. “To have this many students recognized at the highest level, in one of the most competitive art programs in the nation, is remarkable. We are incredibly proud of how our students continue to represent Katy ISD with excellence on a statewide stage.”
All selected artworks are showcased in the Hayloft Gallery during the rodeo and featured in the HLSR online gallery, providing students with significant exposure and recognition.
Katy ISD’s continued success in the HLSR School Art Program highlights the District’s commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and artistic excellence across its campuses.
Here are your Katy ISD Winners:
“Dinner at the Flower Meadow,” Silvana Orozco Mongui, Cinco Ranch High School
“Leaning Into Speed,” Victoria Zhou, Jordan High School
“Caught on Your Way,” Maggie Truong, Jordan High School
“Vowed in Two Spirits,” (3D Premium Selections,) Emmelyn Lewis, Jordan High School
“Horsechair Illusion,” An An Nguyen, Seven Lakes High School
“Carousel Ride” (3D Premium Selections,) Claire Dai, Taylor High School
“Wistful Watcher,” Corina Avila, Tompkins High School
“Seeing Double,” Pheobe Cho, Tompkins High School
“Silent Affection,” Yuexuan Han, Tompkins High School
“Barreling To Victory,” Smriddhi Jariwala, Tompkins High School
“A Buck Above The Bull,” Jeana Jeong, Tompkins High School
“A Rooster’s Resplendence,” Ramanika Madineni, Tompkins High School
“Her Moment,” Neha Pagidi, Tompkins High School
“Freedom’s Gate,” Avery Shakour, Tompkins High School
“Bonds Unbroken,” Sophia Shi, Tompkins High School
Congratulations to all these artists and all who participated!
#TheKatyGym #PatelFamilyOrtho