Tomball ISD Students Represent at Rodeo Art Show, Make History with 14 Awards and Three Auction-Advancing Art Pieces at the 2026 HLSR

TOMBALL - Student creativity took center stage as Tomball ISD celebrated its annual Rodeo Art Show, showcasing exceptional artwork created by students who participated in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) Student Art Program.

This year, 595 Tomball ISD student entries were submitted for judging through the HLSR process, representing campuses across the district and students in grades K–12. From those submissions, 65 pieces were selected as Tomball ISD finalists, with 46 entries advancing to official HLSR judging—a highly competitive distinction among thousands of submissions from across Texas.

Of those advancing works, three Tomball ISD students earned placement in the HLSR art auction, one of the program’s highest honors. Only 90 pieces out of more than 200,000 student submissions statewide advance to auction, placing these students among the very top young artists in Texas.

Congratulations to these three students who advanced to auction: 

• Elementary: Madelyn Williams, West Elementary, 2nd grade, teacher: Sarah Bieker | “Cowboy Cow on the Go”
• High School: Anna Reeves, Tomball High School, 11th grade, teacher: Audrey Jennings | “Into the Light”
• High School: Katherine McDonald, Tomball High School, 12th grade, teacher: Abiodun Ijiyera | “Spin to Win”

They will attend the School Art Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 15th at 2 PM at NRG Center. In addition, the three TISD artists will see their work cross the auction block on Sunday, March 15, at the NRG Arena. These students are guaranteed a cash premium or scholarship, with last year’s auction totaling over $2.5 million in sales.

"Securing three spots in the Houston Rodeo School Art Auction is a monumental achievement for our students and our community,” said Paulette Torchia, Tomball ISD Director of Fine Arts. “With only 90 pieces selected from hundreds of thousands across Texas, Tomball ISD is punching way above our weight class. To see both our high school talent and an elementary artist reach this elite stage proves that Team Tomball's commitment to Destination Excellence—from day one to graduation—is second to none."

In addition to recognizing state-level success, Tomball ISD hosted a community-wide Rodeo Art Show at the Tomball Event Center, featuring more than 500 student artworks. The event celebrated not only award-winning pieces, but also the dedication, creativity, and growth of student artists throughout the district.

Earning Best of Show honors (pictured in order below): 

• Elementary: Arman Krier, Oakcrest Intermediate, 5th grade, teacher: Holly Ellis | “Redford’s Day Out at the Rodeo”
• Junior High: Xianne Monis, Willow Wood Junior High, 7th grade, teacher: Kristen Breitfeller | “The Goat”
• High School: Katherine McDonald, Tomball High School, 12th grade, teacher: Abiodun Ijiyera | “Spin to Win”

Earning Gold Medal honors (pictured in order below): 

• Elementary: Madelyn Williams, West Elementary, 2nd grade, teacher: Sarah Bieker | “Cowboy Cow on the Go”
• Junior High: Ada Robbins, Willow Wood Junior High, 8th grade, teacher: Daria Souvorova | “Moo Meadow”
• High School: Anna Reeves, Tomball High School, 11th grade, teacher: Audrey Jennings | “Into the Light”
• High School: Benjamin Bates, Tomball High School, 11th grade, teacher: Abiodun Ijiyera| “Wishful Thinking”

 Earning a Special Merit honor

• Junior High: Henry Alan, Grand Lakes Junior High, 8th grade, teacher: Michelle Owen | “Just Another Tuesday”
• Junior High: Christina Nguyen, Willow Wood Junior High, 7th grade, teacher: Kristen Breitfeller | “Colorful Ride”
• High School: Erin Beecher, Tomball Memorial High School, 12th grade, teacher: Freddie Holman | “The Feathered Model”
• High School: Sofia Verona, Tomball High School, 10th grade, teacher: Abiodun Ijiyera | “Dinosaur in the Forest”
• High School: Jordan Gatell, Tomball Memorial High School, 12th grade, teacher: Freddie Holman | “At the Watering Hole”
• High School: Luke Owen, Tomball Memorial High School, 12th grade, teacher: Freddie Holman | “A Fowl Affair”
• High School: Nancy Dinh, Tomball Memorial High School, 11th grade, teacher: Freddie Holman | “The Trail Less Taken”

While the awarded and auction-advancing pieces are currently on display in Houston in preparation for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Tomball ISD ensured they were celebrated locally through digital features as part of the district’s Rodeo Art Show.

The annual event highlights Tomball ISD’s continued commitment to fine arts education, student achievement, and providing meaningful opportunities for students to showcase their talents on a statewide stage.

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD empowers students to become impactful, contributing citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous and personally valuable educational experiences while partnering with the community. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 25 campuses.