Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest winners recognized at reception

The top entries in the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest were recognized at a Thursday reception at the University of Houston-Victoria. First-place winner was Mauricio Gonzalez, left, a seventh-grader at Travis Middle School in Port Lavaca. He won a $2,000 scholarship from UHV and a summer camp scholarship to Victoria College. Gonzalez’s drawing of a mariachi singer, titled “Mexico Lindo,” was the best of 39 entries and is featured on this year’s posters advertising local Hispanic Heritage Month events. Menhal Sheikh, center, a Howell Middle School eighth-grader, took second place with her painting, “Serenata,” earning a $1,000 scholarship to UHV or VC. Former Howell Middle School student, Morgan Gonzales, won a $500 scholarship to UHV or VC for her third-place painting, “Impresiones Mejicanas.” Gonzales has moved out of state and she was represented by her aunt, Donna Bernal. Second- and third-place scholarships may be used at either UHV or VC and were donated by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Council. All contest entries will be on display during regular business hours through Oct. 15 at the UHV University Center, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St.

The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.