Tompkins High School Student Phoebe Cho Wins Best of Show at 2026 Katy Rice Harvest Festival Art Contest

Leading this year's winners was Phoebe Cho of Tompkins High School, who earned the competition's highest honor, Best of Show, along with first place in the high school division. Cho, a student of Tompkins art teacher Christie Skinner, stood out among participants representing multiple grade levels and Katy ISD campuses.

Another Katy ISD high school artist, Brooklyn Tyler of Katy High School, received the prestigious Curator's Choice award. Tyler studies under Katy High School art teacher Elias Reyes.

Katy Rice Harvest Festival Celebrates Young Artists and Community Traditions

For generations, the Katy Rice Harvest Festival has brought residents together to celebrate the area's agricultural heritage, local businesses, arts and community spirit. The annual student art contest adds another meaningful dimension to that tradition by giving young artists an opportunity to have their work recognized beyond the classroom.

For participating students, the competition offers a chance to share something personal with a wider audience. For families and teachers, it is an opportunity to celebrate the imagination, dedication and effort behind each piece of artwork.

"The Katy Rice Harvest Festival is a wonderful opportunity for our students to demonstrate creativity and share their talents with the community," Katy ISD Assistant Director of Fine Arts Laura Simoneaux said. "We are proud of these young artists and grateful to the teachers and families who encourage artistic passion."

The contest also highlights the breadth of Katy ISD's fine arts education, with students from elementary, junior high and high school campuses earning awards. This year's honorees represented several schools throughout the district, including Tompkins High School, Katy High School, Nelson Junior High, Haskett Junior High, Beck Junior High, Katy Elementary and Pattison Elementary.

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Meet the 2026 Katy Rice Harvest Festival Art Contest Winners

Katy ISD recognized the following students for their achievements in this year's competition:

Special Recognition

• Best of Show: Phoebe Cho, Tompkins High School

• Curator's Choice: Brooklyn Tyler, Katy High School

High School Division

• First Place: Phoebe Cho, Tompkins High School

• Second Place: Shylee Bella, Katy High School

• Third Place: Sarah Churchill, Katy High School

Junior High Division

• First Place: Anisha Ethirajulu, Nelson Junior High

• Second Place: Enoch Adebutu, Haskett Junior High

• Third Place: Jeremias Akamine Cortez, Beck Junior High

Grades 3-5 Division

• First Place: Robert Thomas Kuehl, Katy Elementary

• Second Place: Sophia Holmes, Katy Elementary

• Third Place: Kristopher Mazaraki, Pattison Elementary

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Division

• First Place: Isabella Holmes, Katy Elementary

Supporting the Next Generation of Katy ISD Artists

While awards recognize individual achievements, the Katy Rice Harvest Festival Art Contest also celebrates something larger: the opportunities available for local children to explore their interests, develop new skills and gain confidence through the arts.

Behind each winning entry are hours of practice, creative decisions and encouragement from educators and families. Whether a student is just beginning to experiment with colors and shapes or considering a future in the arts, opportunities like this can help make those interests feel worthwhile.

As Katy continues to grow, traditions like the Katy Rice Harvest Festival offer a familiar place for neighbors to come together while making room for new generations to contribute their own talents. This year's student art winners have given their families, schools and the greater Katy community another reason to celebrate.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more Katy ISD student achievements, local school news, community events and stories celebrating the people who make Katy a special place to call home.