Education

For several Katy ISD students, hours spent sketching, painting and sculpting turned into something much bigger than a classroom assignment this fall. Their artwork earned a place at the 2026 Fort Bend County Fair School Art Auction, where young artists from across the district celebrated major accomplishments, including Reserve Champion honors, two Best of Class awards and nearly $13,000 in combined art sales.

Leading the way was Seven Lakes High School student Eliana Kirkwood, whose artwork, Soulmates and Sunshine, earned Reserve Champion honors and sold for $2,200. Her achievement was part of an impressive showing by Katy Independent School District, with students from Seven Lakes High School, Tompkins High School, Jordan High School and Katy High School represented in this year's auction and Last Draw Art Sale.

For the students and teachers behind these pieces, the recognition offered more than an opportunity to display their work. It brought their creativity into the public eye, giving families, educators and community supporters a chance to celebrate the artistic accomplishments taking shape in Katy ISD classrooms.

Seven Lakes High School Artist Earns Reserve Champion at Fort Bend County Fair

Kirkwood's Reserve Champion recognition placed her among the top student artists at the 2026 Fort Bend County Fair School Art Auction, an annual event that gives young artists an opportunity to showcase their work before a broader audience.

Her piece, Soulmates and Sunshine, was one of five Katy ISD student artworks featured in the main auction. The $2,200 sale added another milestone to an achievement that recognized both her artistic ability and the dedication involved in creating a competitive piece.

Kirkwood was not the only Katy ISD student to earn top honors. Two additional student artists received Best of Class recognition for their work in drawing and sculpture.

Tompkins High School student Angela Montes earned Best of Class Drawing for Stepping Into A New Day, which sold for $1,400. Meanwhile, Seven Lakes High School student Elice Liu received Best of Class Sculpture for Fitting In, which sold for $1,600.

Together, the three award-winning pieces generated $5,200 in auction sales, demonstrating the community's financial support for student-created artwork.

Advertisement

Katy ISD Fine Arts Programs Earn Strong Showing at 2026 Auction

The district's success extended beyond its three award winners. According to Katy ISD, 10 of the 20 artworks selected for this year's auction came from district students, accounting for half of the selected pieces.

“We are incredibly proud of our student artists and the teachers who helped them achieve this recognition,” Katy ISD Assistant Director of Fine Arts Laura Simoneaux said. “Ten of the 20 pieces selected for this year’s auction came from Katy ISD, which reflects the talent of our students and the strength of our fine arts programs.”

Two additional students joined Kirkwood, Montes and Liu in the main auction. Seven Lakes High School student Arlan Wang was represented by Provider and Protector, while Tompkins High School student Anika Adams contributed Boots Lead The Way.

Their participation brought the district's total to five student artists featured in the main auction, with another five Katy ISD students represented through the event's Last Draw Art Sale.

Five More Katy ISD Students Featured in Fort Bend County Fair Last Draw Art Sale

The Last Draw Art Sale provided another opportunity for Katy ISD students to share their artistic talents with fairgoers and art supporters.

The five participating students and their works included:

• Benjamin Brunnert, Tompkins High School: Greener Pastures

• Kaitlan Huang, Jordan High School: To Dream of the Race

• Diya Raikumar, Tompkins High School: Gentile Sovereign

• Aadriyian Das, Tompkins High School: Harmony in Motion

• Easton Kim, Katy High School: Beauty and the Beast

With students represented across multiple campuses and artistic categories, the district's participation reflected the range of creative opportunities available through its high school fine arts programs.

The artwork also offered a glimpse into the different interests and perspectives of young artists, from drawings and sculptures to pieces exploring subjects through individual artistic expression.

Why the Fort Bend County Fair School Art Auction Matters for Local Students

For generations, county fairs have provided opportunities for young people to demonstrate skills developed through months of preparation, whether in agriculture, livestock exhibitions, creative arts or other competitive programs.

The Fort Bend County Fair School Art Auction carries that tradition into the visual arts, offering students a chance to have their work evaluated, publicly recognized and purchased by supporters.

For participating Katy ISD students, that experience can be particularly meaningful. Creating artwork requires patience, technical development, problem-solving and a willingness to refine an idea until it becomes something worth sharing.

An auction also introduces students to an experience that can be difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom: seeing someone value their original work enough to purchase it.

This year's results reflected that support. Katy ISD student artwork generated nearly $13,000 in combined proceeds, according to the district, highlighting the connection between fine arts education and a community willing to invest in young talent.

The recognition also reflects the role of teachers who guide students through the creative process, helping them strengthen their skills and prepare artwork for public exhibition and competition.

Celebrating the Next Generation of Katy-Area Artists

The accomplishments of Kirkwood, Montes, Liu and their fellow student artists offer families across Katy and Fort Bend County another reason to celebrate local public education.

While athletic championships and academic achievements often draw considerable attention, student art competitions provide another opportunity to recognize the dedication and abilities of young people.

For families at Seven Lakes, Tompkins, Jordan and Katy high schools, this year's Fort Bend County Fair School Art Auction offered a reminder that student success takes many forms. Some achievements happen on a field or stage, while others begin quietly at a drawing table, with a blank canvas or a piece of clay.

Katy ISD congratulated all participating student artists and their teachers for their accomplishments and continued contributions to the district's fine arts programs.

As these young artists continue developing their talents, their recognition at the 2026 Fort Bend County Fair serves as an encouraging example of what can happen when student creativity meets dedicated instruction and community support.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more stories celebrating Katy ISD students, local school achievements, fine arts education and the people making a difference across the Katy and Fort Bend County communities.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

Local business spotlight

Grow your business
where trust already lives.

Let’s introduce your business to the neighbors nearby.

Spotlight My Business →

Have a local favorite? Recommend a business