(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – December 25, 2024) — Creativity, tradition, and holiday cheer took center stage as El Paso ISD announced the winners of its 34th Annual Holiday Card Contest. This year’s honorees include Yoselyn Carrillo from Chapin High School, Angel Maltos from Tinajero PK-8, and Dalton Rava from Tippin Elementary, who captured the high school, middle school, and elementary divisions, respectively.
Their winning designs, each inspired by the holiday spirit and El Paso’s unique identity, will be featured in the district’s official holiday greetings. These works of art will also be displayed at the El Paso ISD Fine Arts Gallery for the community to enjoy through January 22.
MORE PHOTOS: El Paso ISD 2024 Holiday Card Student Winners
The Annual Holiday Card Contest highlights the remarkable talent and creativity of El Paso ISD students while celebrating the season with a cherished tradition that brings together students, families, and the community.
Chapin High School Senior Wins First Place
Yoselyn Carrillo, a senior at Chapin High School, achieved a significant milestone in her artistic journey by winning first place in the high school category. Her design, which features iconic El Paso landmarks alongside festive holiday elements, stood out among hundreds of entries submitted by El Paso ISD students.
Carrillo, a dedicated artist, has participated in the contest every year since her sophomore year, earning third place twice before finally clinching the top spot. “I kept entering the competition and would always get third place,” said Carrillo. “But I told myself, ‘This time, I’m going to win,’ and I gave it my all—and it paid off!”
Her design combines her artistic vision with a deep connection to her hometown. It features the iconic El Paso star on the mountain, a Christmas tree adorned with gifts, and Frosty the Snowman overseeing the city’s downtown skyline.
“In past competitions, I always included the star because it represents El Paso,” Carrillo explained. “This year, I also wanted to include downtown El Paso with its recognizable buildings, like Wells Fargo and the hotels. Since it’s a Christmas card, I added Frosty, a tree, and gifts to make it festive.”
Carrillo is thrilled that her artwork will be seen by so many. “Art is my way to express myself, and knowing my work resonates with others is rewarding,” she shared. “I’m excited that so many people will see it.”
Tinajero PK-8 Student Shines Bright as Middle School Winner
Tinajero PK-8 student Angel Maltos took first place in the middle school division with his design, which beautifully incorporates iconic El Paso landmarks with festive holiday imagery.
Inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork, Maltos’ card features the Plaza Theatre, the Downtown El Paso alligator sculpture, and the star on the mountain, all brought to life with a vibrant color scheme of green, white, and blue. “My dad taught me how to draw when I was little,” Maltos said. “He showed me what to do, and I wanted to learn more. He helped me, and my teacher helped refine my skills.”
Art teacher Saul Ramirez immediately recognized Maltos’ exceptional talent and has been instrumental in guiding his artistic journey. “Angel is way ahead of his level. Most of his artwork is done with very little instruction,” Ramirez shared. “I recognized his talents from the start, and now we’re working to put him and other students in competitions.”
Ramirez is proud of Maltos’ achievement, emphasizing the importance of celebrating student talent. “It’s exciting to see students like Angel shine bright and bring light to our community,” he said.
Tippin Elementary Student Wins Elementary School Division
Dalton Rava, a 4th grader from Tippin Elementary, won first place in the elementary school division with his festive twist on El Paso’s iconic star on the mountain.
Rava connected the well-known El Paso ISD star logo with the holiday season by incorporating colorful Christmas lights, adding a personal touch to the symbolic image. “I was inspired to include the star on the mountain and connect it with the El Paso ISD star,” Rava explained. “Instead of plain white lights, I used Christmas lights. I was surprised that I won because I really thought someone else was going to win.”
Art teacher, Ivan Torres, was thrilled to see his student’s work recognized. “It feels great that Dalton was chosen as the winner,” Torres said. “He made great artistic choices in his piece, and I’m very proud of him.”
Torres values giving students the freedom to explore their creativity. “The students come up with the plan for their holiday card, and I let them create from there,” Torres explained. “They have a lot of talent, and I think art, while sometimes overlooked, is important. This contest proves how art can showcase the incredible talent of our students.”