Students from across Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) demonstrated artistic achievement in this year’s Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) visual arts contests, with accolades spanning all grade levels—from elementary to high school.
SBISD students earned a total of 104 top ratings and 11 state-level medals in the TEAM, Junior VASE, and VASE competitions.
This performance underscores SBISD’s commitment to arts education and our ongoing recognition as a District of Distinction by TAEA—a title earned multiple times thanks to the excellence of our students and teachers. These programs help support the development of T-2-4 Ready Graduates, equipping students with creativity, communication, and critical-thinking skills essential for success.
104 Total Top-Rated Artworks | 11 State-Level Medals | 20 Campuses Represented
Elementary – Texas Elementary Art Meet (TEAM)
Out of 6,396 submissions statewide, only 533 received a Top of TEAM medal. SBISD submitted 88 entries, with 80 students earning the highest possible rating of 4. Impressively, 7 students earned the prestigious Top of TEAM honor, spotlighting SBISD’s youngest artists as standouts at the state level.
Top of TEAM Medalists:
Kate Buckingham, Rummel Creek Elementary – Bouquet of Love
Clark Camarillo, Bunker Hill Elementary – Self-Portrait
Lucie Diedrich, Nottingham Elementary – Woven Water Scales
Marilyn Kessler, Nottingham Elementary – Spring Stitches
Eleanor Limbacher, Rummel Creek Elementary – Family Time
Giulia Morre, Nottingham Elementary – Spring Blossom Surprise
Kate Shochat, Bunker Hill Elementary – Outcast Duckling
Middle School – Junior Visual Arts Scholastic Event (JRVASE)
SBISD submitted 41 entries to the 2025 Junior VASE competition, with 15 students earning the highest possible rating of 4. Across Texas, more than 14,000 middle school students entered the contest, and while no SBISD entries earned the rare Platinum Medal this year, the strong showing of high scores reflects the district’s deep bench of emerging talent.
Top Rating Recipients:
Sloane Anderson, Cornerstone Academy – Beauty and Thorns
Sophia Bishop, Spring Forest Middle School – Gummy Bear Ramage
Claire Brendel, Cornerstone Academy – Reflection of Life
Mustafa Elhag, Cornerstone Academy – Twilight Path
Mickey Early, Spring Forest Middle School – Send in the Clowns
Morgan Huber, Cornerstone Academy – Loss of Innocence
Noah Ledford, Cornerstone Academy – Whistling Greens
Evelyn Mankarious, Cornerstone Academy – It’s Not Wrong
Maddie McClung, Spring Forest Middle School – A New Perspective
Aubrey Morales, Cornerstone Academy – Sole of a Champion
Nadia Ozturk, Spring Forest Middle School – Floating Paradise
Emmy Oubre, Spring Forest Middle School – Fun Shapes and Colors!
Paula Reyes, Cornerstone Academy – The Heart’s Window
Reaves Schulte, Spring Forest Middle School – I Feel Like I’m Fading
Jolie Ulloa, Northbrook Middle School – And There Were Twice As Many Stars
High School – Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE)
At the high school level, SBISD submitted 14 artworks to the TAEA State Visual Arts Scholastic Event. Of these, 9 entries earned the top rating of 4, and 4 students received the prestigious Gold Seal Award—the highest honor given in the state. Out of tens of thousands of entries across Texas, only 164 Gold Seal recipients were selected.
Gold Seal Winners:
Ingrid Gallop, Stratford High School – Silent Witness
Catherine Kerns, Stratford High School – Blossom
Lewis Roman, Stratford High School – Urban Citadel
Kassia Kexin Tan, Memorial High School – Sunny Side Up
State 4 Rating Recipients:
Paulina Ausucua
Natalie Soy Bae
David Kim
Catherine Kerns
Julia Morley
Lucy Nogueira
Kaitlynn Tai
Kassia Kexin Tan
Rachel Won
Students were judged not only on their finished artwork, but also on how well they planned, reflected, and explained their creative process—skills that connect directly to the Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate. From telling stories through art to speaking about their work in interviews, students built confidence in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
With award-winning fine arts programs across all grade levels, SBISD continues to demonstrate the strength of our curriculum, the dedication of our educators, and the incredible talent found throughout our schools and community.
To learn more about TAEA contests, visit: TAEA VASE Overview