Seven Mount Pleasant High School students advanced to the state level of the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) with five of those students earning state gold medals for their work. The VASE state competition was held at San Marcos Consolidated High School on April 25-26. Students from 30 regions in Texas competed for a chance to advance to the state VASE event. Of the over 32,000 entries at regionals, just 2,362 advanced to the state level.

Freshman Michelle Garrett received the prestigious Christina Rich Memorial Scholarship Award for her piece “Summertime Turtle”. The $500 scholarship is awarded for exemplary achievement in the TAEA VASE program.

Winning state gold medals were freshman Vanessa Aspeitia for “Narcissist”, freshman Michelle Garrett for “Mario”, junior Jaydy Martinez for “Color Jaydy in Stipple”, freshman Kiara Mickens for “A Good Day”, and junior Dayanara Pulquero for “Calm Envy”.

“These ladies worked very hard to achieve this honor,” said MPHS Art teacher, Laura Kirkland. “I am very proud and grateful to be their teacher!”

Photos –

1: MPHS VASE State medalists (L to R) Vanessa Aspeitia, Michelle Garrett, Kiara Mickens, MPHS Art teacher Laura Kirkland, Dayanara Pulquero, Jaydy Martinez

2: Michelle Garrett and her Christina Rich Memorial Scholarship Award for her piece “Summertime Turtle”