Michelle Huang, an eighth-grade student at the Quail Valley GT Academy, entered her oil painting, “The Long Way Home,” in the 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Contest and won the “Junior High Champion” prize. She was the only student, among 300,000 students representing 100 school districts and more than 60 private schools throughout Southeast Texas, to receive the award in the Junior High School division. Students were asked to submit artwork based on Western culture, history or heritage.
Michelle’s artwork originally won “Best of Show” and was among 662 pieces of artwork that advanced to the Grand Prix judging after winning top awards at the district level of the competition. This was the third year that Michelle has won “Best of Show” for artwork entered in the competition. Her 2011 winning painting was displayed at the Reliant Center’s Hayloft Gallery throughout the rodeo season.