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NEISD student wins Fiesta parade art contest

A Roosevelt High School senior has earned the ultimate Fiesta bragging rights. She designed her school's medal and the program cover art for the largest Fiesta parade.

A Roosevelt High School senior has earned the ultimate Fiesta bragging rights. She designed her school’s medal and the program cover art for the largest Fiesta parade. Seventh Period art class is where the creations took shape.

The projects highlight Daniela Leal’s talent before she walks the graduation stage. Her art is being placed at the heart of an Alamo city tradition: Fiesta!

“I kept thinking that it wouldn’t get chosen because there were so many other people that were submitting pieces,” said Leal. “At that point, I was just drawing it for fun and not really thinking about it being a contest.”

The winning cover art will be printed on 18,000 souvenir programs for the Battle of Flowers parade, which is the oldest and largest Fiesta procession.

“I heard the theme was timeless treasures so I thought the Alamo was kind of like the most famous treasure that we have there and bluebonnets are also flowers that are very important to Texas,” said Leal.

She included both depictions in her work of art. Leal will also be honored with a spot in the parade. Her high school’s Fiesta medal will be pinned to her chest, which she also designed.

“I don’t think it actually sunk in until I went home and told my parents that I won.”

For the cover art, Leal beat out more than 200 other entries from 25 area schools. Her teacher couldn’t be more proud.

“She’s been a really surprise, a real delight she has tremendous talent, she sure takes direction well and you just kind of tell her what makes a great work of art and she runs with it,” said Art teacher Susan Ferris.

Even with high school graduation a few weeks after Fiesta, Daniela says her days with the pencil and paper are far from over. She plans to have a career in the STEM field but will use art as an outlet for her emotions.

“Usually when I draw it’s when I want to relieve stress so probably one of those days when I really want to just have a break I’m probably going to draw then,” said Leal.

Leal along with four other top winners in the cover art contest were featured in an art show Sunday. They were also awarded cash prizes.

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