(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT — Dec. 3, 2025) — El Paso ISD is proud to unveil the winners of its 35th Annual Holiday Card Contest, a beloved tradition that showcases the creativity and imagination of student artists across the district. This year’s honorees are:
High School Winner: Rose Macias, El Paso High School
Middle School Winner: Dayana Echavarria, Navarrete Middle School
Elementary Winner: Orlando Quinonez III, Tinajero PK–8
Their artwork will be featured in the district’s official holiday greetings and displayed at the El Paso ISD Fine Arts Gallery throughout December and January.
El Paso High Artist Brings Home Top High School Honor
El Paso High School senior Rose Macias captured first place in the high school division with a holiday-themed piece rich in color, detail, and cultural expression.
“I feel happy and excited that my work is going to be seen by a lot of people,” Macias said. “I spent a lot of time on it and I’m proud of myself.”
Her teacher, Elijah Escobar, praised both her talent and her unique style.
“She is a very talented artist. She is into Chicano style, which is unique,” Escobar said. “I am not surprised that she won. This is a great EPISD tradition and gets us into that holiday season.”
Navarrete Middle School Student Earns Top Middle School Recognition
Dayana Echavarria from Navarrete Middle School earned first place in the middle school division with a piece praised for its refined technique and careful color blending.
“Dayana is an amazing student. I noticed her talent right away,” said her art teacher, Elizabeth Lerma. “She is very careful with detail and is great at blending the colors in her artwork. This was all her idea, and everything came out well.”
Lerma, who once competed in the EPISD Holiday Card Contest as a student herself, said seeing her own student win was especially meaningful.
“One year, I got second place, but I learned so much, and I’ve always pushed my students to take part in the contest,” Lerma said. “It’s great to see my students succeed in something like this and I hope they cherish it like I did.”
Tinajero PK–8 Artist Wins Elementary Division
The elementary school winner, Orlando Quinonez III from Tinajero PK–8, impressed judges with a vibrant and joyful holiday design.
His teacher, Claudia Galindo, said his enthusiasm and talent shined from the start.
“I was super excited to find out Orlando won,” Galindo said. “I think events like this push our students to try and be the best they can be. Contests like this also reinforce our academics.”
A Celebration of Creativity and Community
The Annual Holiday Card Contest continues to be one of El Paso ISD’s most cherished artistic traditions, providing a platform for students to express themselves while contributing to the district’s holiday spirit.
District Visual Arts Facilitator Andrea Smith said this year’s entries once again showcased the remarkable imagination and skill found in EPISD classrooms.
“Every year, our Holiday Card Contest reminds us how powerful student creativity can be. These young artists bring joy, culture, and originality to their work, and it’s an honor to see their designs represent the district. The talent across El Paso ISD continues to inspire us,” Smith said.
Close to 400 entries were submitted this year from campuses across the district, each reflecting the season through the lens of student imagination, culture, and community pride.
The district congratulates Rose, Dayana, and Orlando on their outstanding accomplishments and extends its appreciation to every student, teacher, and campus that participated in this year’s event.
Their artwork will be on display at the EPISD Fine Arts Gallery through the end of January 27.