The deadline to submit an entry in the Holiday Card Contest, where students can show their artistic skills and have the opportunity to win up to a $1,000 scholarship, is 5 p.m. Friday.
Patrick Gonzales, vice president for University Marketing & Communications, told The Rider about this year’s contest.
“We’ve had it every year since 2015,” Gonzales said. “This will be our 10th edition of the Holiday Card contest.”
He said it is one of the oldest traditions at UTRGV and it has been exciting to see how much it has evolved in the 10 years.
Gonzales said students have designed the official holiday card for the Office of the President.
“It’s all about student involvement,” he said. “It helps to kind of kick off the holiday season, bringing holiday spirit to the university.”
Gonzales said any current or Mathematics and Science Academy student who is in good standing can participate. The exception will be students who are in dual credit courses.
“There’s a president’s winner and there’s a provost winner, and winners each get [a] $1,000 scholarship,” he said.
Gonzales said two runners-up from each contest will receive $500 each.
He encourages students to participate in this year’s Holiday Card Contest.
“It always surprises me that every year one of the winners is not an art major,” Gonzales said.
He said everyone would be surprised how many nonart students have actually won the contest.
“My biggest recommendation would just be to enter and give it a try and give it a shot,” Gonzales said.
Maritza Flores, a cybersecurity senior and the winner of the 2023 Holiday Card Contest, said it was a “really amazing” experience.
“I’ve always liked to draw, and ever since I discovered that UTRGV does a holiday contest card, I wanted to participate because I wanted to show my artistic talent,” Flores said.
She said she wanted to draw in order to inspire other beginner artists who want to draw, too.
“I was speechless,” Flores said. “I did not know I was going to win, especially first place during that year. I really did not expect that at all. I was really happy that I won.”
She recommends anybody who likes to draw or likes to be creative to participate.
“Especially if you are a photographer, painter, sculptors, or an artist–anybody can do it,” Flores said
She believes everybody has creativity in their own form.
“Even if it’s something small, you’re able to create an artwork,” Flores said.
She said one of her favorite artists is Andy Warhol, and she recited one of his quotes: “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”
Mariana Gallardo, a biomedical science sophomore, told The Rider she is interested in participating in the Holiday Card Contest and sees how it benefits students.
“I think it does benefit students because it’s a very easy opportunity for you to be able to get funds or a scholarship, which getting right now … it’s a very competitive situation, so that’s great,” Gallardo said.
To submit an entry, visit link.utrgv.edu/holidaycard.
