Rachel Chang, a sophomore, was honored with the Special Merit award at the Rodeo Art Show. Her piece [“a day’s work”] was presented at the ISC building on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 from 6:30-8:30 along with the work of the fifteen other CFISD students who also participated.

Changs art work will later be transported to the NRG Stadium for the Houston rodeo, and has a chance to be put up for auction.

Chang had been drawing for a long time, and it isn’t the first time she had won an award for her drawings.

“It was cool. I always [join the award competition] every year, and then I won three times in elementary,” Chang said.”I didn’t win in middle school, then last year I was a finalist. Special Merit awards are usually given to three or four people.”

The fifteen other students who participated were Yecenia Avarca, Randall Banchez, Zavier Davis, Yasmin Gonzalez, Thanh Le, Fernando Montoya, Marwin Dabdab, Evelyn Dominquez, Luke Pena, Denise Trevano, and Judy McNeil.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo only occurs once a year; this year it will open March 7 and last until the 26th. The rodeo provides the annual opportunity for students from schools all around Houston to represent their school and  show off their artistic talent

It took Chang nearly a month to draw and color her painting.

“Maybe more it’s kind of a blur,” Chang said. “Art is very important, and as a career choice i considered it, i did but not anymore, it’s more of just a hobby.”