Secondary Art Spotlight
This site features artwork and recognitions from the YES Prep Secondary Visual Arts Program.
- February 2025: VASE Competition
- January 2025: Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards
- January 2025: High School Rodeo Art Contest Finalists
February 2025: VASE Competition
Congratulations to the talented YES Prep artists who shined at the 2025 Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE)! VASE is the largest student art competition in Texas, designed to celebrate artistic achievement by evaluating students on their originality, technique, and ability to communicate meaning through their artwork. Based on a statewide standard of excellence, medals are awarded to students whose work demonstrates exceptional skill and conceptual depth.
This year, students from YES Prep Northline Secondary and YES Prep Southeast Secondary earned 29 medals across the Art I, Art II, and AP Art divisions at the Regional VASE event. Under the expert guidance of Art teachers Michael Healey (Northline - High School Art), Jennifer Crancer (Southeast - AP Art), and Taylor Ferguson (Southeast - Art I-II), these young artists pushed creative boundaries, developed technical art skills, and proudly represented their schools. Their achievements highlight the power of art education and self-expression.
The 2025 YES Prep VASE Medal winners are:
| Student Name | Medal Division | Campus |
| Alyson Ramirez | Art I | Northline Secondary |
| Berlyn Bonilla | Art I | Southeast Secondary |
| Kathia Huerta | Art I | Southeast Secondary |
| Peyton Gardiner | Art I | Northline Secondary |
| Eunice Zeyala | Art II | Northline Secondary |
| Moises Caston | Art II | Northline Secondary |
| Natalie Fuentes | Art II | Northline Secondary |
| Samantha Flores | Art II | Southeast Secondary |
| Stephanie Vargas | Art II | Southeast Secondary |
| Alyssa Payan | AP | Northline Secondary |
| America Camacho | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Angel Morales | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Angel Zapata | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Angela Aguilar | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Angela Ramos | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Azucena Cortes | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Barbara Herrera | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Danyela Pena | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Emily Rodriguez | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Ileana Garcia | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Issac Minor | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Johan Mendez | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Jose Huertado | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Lexi Aguirre | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Maria Gomez | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Marvin Manzano | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Miranda Urbano | AP | Northline Secondary |
| Nayeli Linares | AP | Southeast Secondary |
| Robert Rodriguez | AP | Southeast Secondary |
Alyson Ramirez, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Division
Issac Minor, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Division
Natalie Fuentes, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art II Division
Emily Rodriguez, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Moises Caston, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art II Division
Alyssa Payan, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Eunice Zeyala, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art II Division
Marvin Manzano, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Barbara Herrera, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Johan Mendez, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Angel Zapata, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Miranda Urbano, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Payton Gardiner, YES Prep Northline Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art I Division
Angela Aguilar, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Ileana Garcia, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Danyela Pena, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Jose Hurtado, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
America Camacho, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Azucena Cortes, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Angela Ramos, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Roberto Rodriguez, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Maria Gomez, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
Lexi Aguirre, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
"Little Reminder" by Kathia Huerta, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art I Division
Nayelia Linares, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the AP Art Division
"ID Altering" by Samantha Flores, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art II Division
"Nostalgic Distress" by Berlyn Bonilla, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art I Division
"Fear, Hope, and Resilience" by Stephanie Vargas, YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Awarded a VASE Medal in the Art II Division
January 2025: Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards
In January 2025, YES Prep Northside Secondary students, under the guidance of high school art teacher Becky Tee, submitted artwork to the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. After review by a panel of creative professionals, the following artworks were awarded for their outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice and vision.
| Student Name | Work Title | Awards (Category) |
|---|---|---|
| Danielle Johnson | At Top | Honorable Mention (Sculpture) |
| Roberto Aguirre | Broccoli | Honorable Mention (Mixed Media) |
| Danielle Johnson | Corrupted | Honorable Mention (Mixed Media) |
| Danielle Johnson | Cozy Rest | Silver Key (Painting) |
| Cassandra Hernandez | Hanging Out | Silver Key (Painting) |
| Danielle Johnson | Looking Back | Gold Key (Drawing & Illustration) |
| Elian Aybar | Lost Direction | Honorable Mention (Mixed Media) |
This year, 7,859 works from private and charter schools across Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, and Galveston Counties were entered into the competition. Within each category, students had the opportunity to earn Honorable Mention, Silver Key, and Gold Key (the highest distinction) awards.
We are incredibly proud of all YES Prep Northside award winners and would like to give special recognition to Danielle Johnson and Cassandra Hernandez for their exceptional achievements. Danielle earned a Gold Key Award in Drawing—an honor received by only 7% of the 793 entries in that category. Danielle and Cassandra each earned a Silver Key Award in Painting, placing them among the top 17% of 638 entries.
Congratulations to all of our talented artists for their hard work and well-deserved recognition!
Cassandra Hernandez of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "Hanging Out" - Painting earning a Silver Key Award
Elian Aybar of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "Lost Direction" - Mixed Media Art earning an Honorable Mention Award
Danielle Johnson of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "At Top" - Sculpture earning an Honorable Mention Award
Danielle Johnson of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "Corrupted" - Mixed Media artwork earning an Honorable Mention Award
Danielle Johnson of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "Looking Back" - earning a Gold Key Award in the Drawing & Illustration Category
Danielle Johnson of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "Cozy Rest" - Painting earning a Silver Key Award
Roberto Aguirre of YES Prep Northside Secondary, "Broccoli" - Mixed Media piece earning an Honorable Mention Award
January 2025: High School Rodeo Art Contest Finalists
"Claudio" by America Camacho-Claudio, YES Prep Southeast Secondary
'Sugar" by Jackeline Cauazos-Sugar, YES Prep North Forest Secondary
"Paradin' Down South" by Angela Ramos, YES Prep Southeast Secondary
"Looking for the Light" by Maria Gomez, YES Prep Southeast Secondary - 2D Best of Show Award Winner
"Spirit of the West" by Josemilio Contreras, YES Prep North Forest Secondary
"Cowboy Canine" by Nayeli Linares, YES Prep Southeast - Gold Medal Award Winner
"Blooming Boots" by Jaqueline Flores, YES Prep Southwest
"On the Wild Side" by Danielle Johnson, YES Prep Northside - 3D Best in Show Award Winner
"Caballos y Compadres al Ocaso" by William Aguilar-Garcia, YES Prep Southeast - Gold Medal Award Winner
"Golden Hen at Mid Day" by Kaitlynn Vasquez, YES Prep Southeast
"Growing Up" by Yamilet Morales, YES Prep North Forest
The following students received recognition at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Contest. The Best of Show and Gold Medal Award winners' artwork will be on display at the Hayloft Gallery at NRG Stadium during Rodeo Houston, March 4–23, 2025. They are eligible for the art auction and contest awards - additional honors will be announced in March 2025
High School Best in Show:
- 2D: Maria Gomez (12), YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Taught by Jennifer Crancer
- 3D: Danielle Johnson (12), YES Prep Northside Secondary, Taught by Becky Tee
High School Gold Medal for 2D Art:
- Nayeli Linares (12), YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Taught by Jennifer Crancer
- William Aguilar-Garcia (11), YES Prep Southwest Secondary, Taught by Mike Birk
High School Finalists for 2D Art:
- America Camacho (12), YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Taught by Jennifer Crancer
- Angela Ramos (12), YES Prep Southeast Secondary, Taught by Jennifer Crancer
- Jackeline Cauazos (11), YES Prep North Forest, Taught by Trina Shrepee
- Jaqueline Flores (11), YES Prep Southwest Secondary, Taught by Mike Birk
- Josemilio Contreras (11), YES Prep North Forest, Taught by Trina Shrepee
- Yamilet Morales (11), YES Prep North Forest, Taught by Trina Shrepee
Blue Ribbon:
- Kaitlynn Vasquez (11), YES Prep Southeast, Taught by Taylor Ferguson
View the full story feature: YES Prep Students Shine in the 2025 HLSR School Art Contest
Visit the YES Prep Secondary Visual Arts Program home page.