Artwork created by two North East ISD students—a Madison High School senior and a Bulverde Creek Elementary School fifth-grader—are among submitted student artworks that were recently chosen to adorn VIA Metropolitan Transit buses.

Representatives from nonprofits Texas Cavaliers and Go Public gathered May 20 to reveal two VIA City buses fully wrapped in artwork submitted by 26 elementary and high school students.

The reveal included the elementary school art winners from the Texas Cavaliers River Parade Art Contest, announced in March, and the high school art contest winners from the Go Public High School Art Spotlight.

Representatives with Texas Cavaliers said Fiona O’Dell, a fifth-grader at Bulverde Creek Elementary School in NEISD, was the grant prize winner of the 2023 River Parade Art Contest.

In addition to her artwork being displayed on a VIA bus, O’Dell won free Whataburger meals for an entire year, $5,000 for her school’s art program and a one-week scholarship to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio Southwest Campus’ summer program, according to a news release.

Texas Cavaliers officials said their organization donated a total of $46,000 to the school art programs of the winners and runners-up.

The release states this is the fourth year for the Go Public High School Art Spotlight, in which student winners see their pieces become part of an exterior of a VIA bus.

Go Public announced the high school student art winners last March from among 290 entries and picked 15 winners. First place and a $250 scholarship were awarded to Cole High School senior Alexa Villanueva.

Second place and a $150 scholarship were awarded to Harlan High School senior Chloe Sanchez. Third place and a $100 scholarship were awarded to Madison High School senior Isabella Lorenzana in NEISD.

In addition to winning the VIA bus placement, each student also received a tote featuring their piece.