A La Porte High School artist has made history by earning a $10,000 scholarship in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Program Auction.  

Ashley Morales’s painting Midday Rest sold at the auction on March 15. She is the first person in school history to advance to the School Art Auction as part of the rodeo’s Premier Award selections.  

Morales’s piece was among 200,000 submitted from 151 school districts and private schools, and it was among 4,000 works that advanced to preliminary judging at NRG Center. Only 796 moved to the next round from which 90 students were selected for the prestigious auction.  

“I am immensely proud of Ashley’s talent, dedication, and the way she represented our school and district at this distinguished statewide event,” said Christina Todaro, Morales’s art teacher. “This accomplishment is not only a reflection of her artistic excellence but also a testament to the strength and growth of our visual arts program.”