SISD middle and high school students had the opportunity to foster their creativity and love for literacy at the relaunch of the SISD Fandom & Comic Expo Nov. 5 at the District Service Center.
The SISD Fandom and Comic Expo event featured a day of fun appearances from more than 25 vendors including local indie comic artists, authors, and collectors.
Other special guests included the Imperial Border Squad, EP Ghostbusters, and the Amigo Man.
The Fandom & Comic Expo is an engaging event designed to involve students in non-traditional literature and resources, such as comic books, games, and fandom culture, that inspire lifelong literacy and career opportunities in a world of imagination and creativity.
Marcy Sparks, SISD Library Service coordinator, said it was good to see that even after not having the event for a few years, the students were looking forward to it and excited to attend.
“It’s so special to have kids who love so many different things come together and interact within the community here at SISD,” Sparks said.
This year, students participated in a Cyber Patriot competition where they worked through IT simulations to fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Students engaged in cosplay activities, muggle quidditch, fandom trivia, gaming, comic sketch-off, escape rooms and more.
Samantha Badillo, an eighth-grade student at John Drugan, said it was her first time attending the event.
“I was super excited to participate in the cosplay event,” Badillo said. “I would encourage other students to come because there is basically every fandom you can think of.”
Jesus Coronado, a cosplayer and vendor, said it was his fourth time attending the fandom and comic expo.
“This event is always fun,” Coronado said. “It’s great to see all the different artists, it is really a blast.”
Coronado showed attendees how they can make costumes from different materials and machines like PDA foam, 3D printing and foam gasket.
Diana Franco, an art teacher in the Ysleta Independent School District, attended to support her husband who is a teacher at Eastlake High School. She said it is important to show up for events like the SISD Fandom and Comic Expo for all El Paso students.
“I’ve participated in several comic cons around El Paso but I like to show my support for the local school districts because as a teacher it’s all about the kids and the art,” Franco said.
SISD Fandom and Comic Expo event photos
Published November 21, 2022
Strategic Direction: College and Career Readiness