School News
Asa Aguilar, of El Paso, wins grand prize in the General Land Office's 2005 Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest
By Paul Sturrock, Media Specialist -- General Land Office
Mar 22, 2005

 AUSTIN — East Point Elementary fifth-grader Asa Aguilar, of El Paso, won top honors in the General Land Office’s Treasures of the Texas Coast 2005 Children’s Art Contest. Her work was chosen over more than 6,300 other entries said Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office.

“Asa’s entry captures the essence of sunrise or sunset on a Texas beach,” Patterson said. “Its vivid, jewel-like colors suggest the contest theme: Treasures of the Texas Coast. But as talented as Asa is, many of the other entries were equally good, making it awfully hard to pick an overall winner.”

Asa, 10, and her teacher, Gwynn Flato, will each receive two round-trip, coach-class tickets from Continental Airlines to any Continental destination in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Asa’s classmates will also get a class party at one of two Schlitterbahn Waterparks (in New Braunfels or South Padre Island).

Asa Aguilar -- El Paso, Texas

Two winners from every region in the state have also been chosen. All 48 regional winners will receive a ticket to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, two all-day passes to Schlitterbahn Waterparks, a journal made of recycled denim from Keep Texas Beautiful, a certificate of recognition from the commissioner and a calendar featuring the winning artwork.

Their winning artwork will be featured in the General Land Office’s Children’s Art Contest Calendar, which will be available in January 2006. The winning artwork will also be on exhibit at the Texas State Capitol March 31-April 2, in the Central Gallery, Capitol Extension, Level 2.

This year’s contest sponsors are Continental Airlines, Schlitterbahn Waterparks, the Texas State Aquarium and Keep Texas Beautiful.

The annual contest is organized through the General Land Office’s Adopt-A-Beach Program. This year’s Spring Cleanup is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 23 at 29 sites along the Texas coast.

“Adopt-A-Beach cleanups are a fun way to help the environment and beautify the Texas coast,” Patterson said. “Whenever you enjoy a day at the beach, remember to thank the thousands of Adopt-A-Beach volunteers who make it more enjoyable.”

The artwork submitted to the Children’s Art Contest is used to support and promote volunteer participation at the Adopt-A-Beach Cleanups.

For more information on the Adopt-A-Beach Program or the Children’s Art Contest, call toll-free 1-877-TXCOAST. The artwork will be displayed later this week on the Adopt-A-Beach Web site at: www.texasadoptabeach.org.