Two pin designs created by students from Mission Early College High School have won the Texas Association of Business Professionals of America (BPA) pin design contest. These pins will be traded with students from other states and countries at the BPA National Leadership Conference (NLC).
Junior Aileene Armendariz and sophomore Shalom Colmenero are among four Texas students who will be recognized for their winning entries at the State Leadership Conference on Feb. 27 in Dallas, Texas. The pins will be distributed to BPA members at the conference who will then exchange them with members from other BPA chapters during the NLC in May in Orlando, Florida.
Armendariz, who is an officer in her school’s BPA chapter, said winning the contest reaffirmed her decision to pursue a career in graphic design. Her design featured a cowboy hat on top of a camera, with an image of a horse standing on its hind legs reflected in the camera lens.
"Winning this contest gave me the validation I needed to continue my dream of having a career involved with graphic design,” Armendariz said. “Being able to share and teach graphic design would mean the world to me. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you SISD and BPA."
Colmenero, who was recently elected BPA Regional President, designed a pin depicting an armadillo holding a camera with the Texas flag in the background.
“Creating and sharing my artwork has always been a passion of mine,” Colmenero said. “Winning this design contest is an incredible honor, knowing my work was selected. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to represent Texas BPA through my art.”
Each winner will receive a pin at the NLC, a certificate and $50. Their designs will be spotlighted on the BPA website and in the national app.