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Sixth grader from César Chávez Elementary School in Oxnard wins California Strawberry Festival’s 2014 Youth Art Design contest

by Amigos805.com • April 24, 2014 • Comments Off

Itzel Gonzalez, center, from César Chávez Elementary School in Oxnard, was selected the 2014 Youth Art Design Contest winner for the 31st annual California Strawberry Festival. With her are teacher Maricruz Perez, from left, and Daisy Tatum, festival board member. Photo courtesy of California Strawberry Festival

OXNARD — From an all-time record of 1,800 entries, the “berrilious” design of 11-year-old Itzel Gonzalez from César Chávez Elementary in Oxnard was selected as the winner of the 31^st Annual California Strawberry Festival Youth Art Design Contest, the festival’s organizers reported in a media release.

Festival representatives held a pizza party and award presentation with her entire 6^th grade class on April 23 to celebrate the announcement. Gonzalez received a $100 gift certificate (teacher, Maricruz Perez, was awarded a $50 gift certificate), Gonzalez given the honor of having her design showcased before a crowd of thousands in the Community Connections exhibit at the California Strawberry Festival May 17 and 18.

Every one of the thousands of students from school districts throughout Ventura County — kindergarten to sixth grade — who participated in the contest, will receive a festival ticket as an appreciation for their efforts, organizers reported.

Gonzalez’s winning masterpiece features a ruby-red strawberry wearing a smiling face. To create the design, Gonzalez used her creative imagination and positive outlook for the concept, and went to task with colored pencils and crayons. A departure from classroom curriculum focusing more on textbook criteria, the art project encouraged the students to use their creativity to express the Festival’s atmosphere and what the event means to the community.

“Itzel has already won an award in math and now she can add artistic talents to her list of accomplishments,” said proud teacher Perez.

“The Youth Art Design contest offers a unique way to spread awareness of a celebration that pays tribute to the region’s rich agricultural heritage and gives back to communities,” said Wendy Holder, festival chairperson. “Art offers a medium of expression that really connects with kids.”

The 31^st Annual California Strawberry Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 17, 18 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 South Rose Ave., Oxnard. Tickets range from $5 to $12 with event proceeds benefiting more than 20 charities. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.strawberry-fest.org.

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