On Saturday, February 14th, 2026, DP Visual Arts student Fernanda de la Cruz participated in VASE (Visual Art Scholastic Event) and earned her advancement to the State VASE Competition!
In case you’re unfamiliar, VASE is a highly competitive High School Visual Arts competition that serves as a place to “recognize exemplary student achievement in the Visual Arts.” – Official VASE mission statement
This year, Texas High Schools’ VASE celebrated its 32nd anniversary. The first event was held in 1944 with around 40 student entries. Now, the competition takes in around 35,000 entries.
To compete in VASE, students must create original artworks, write about their creative processes, and demonstrate their understanding of Visual Arts through an interview. The interviews are conducted with a VASE juror, who evaluates their work using a standards-based rubric on a four-point scale (IV-I)
Every year, MYP/DP Art teacher Lacy Vain guides her students through this process and organizes all of the logistics and requirements in order for her students to successfully participate in VASE.
Although every student who participates receives a certificate, only artworks with a rating of four (the highest score) earn a Regional medal. All entries that receive this medal advance to Area Judging, which is held at the end of the meet.
At Area Judging, only the top 10% of each division of the Area-qualified artworks are selected to advance to the State VASE Event, making Fernanda de la Cruz’s advancement a significant accomplishment!
“The artwork represents the difference between growing up and childhood. It shows how childhood is bright and colorful, and the items that are in black and white showcase typical things of a teenage girl.” – Fernanda De La Cruz
This year, the state competition will be held on Saturday, April 25th, from 7:15 AM to 4:30 PM at San Marcos High School. During this time, there will be no interviews; just a panel of jurors who evaluate the entries based on the state rubric. The entries that receive an Exemplary Rating are awarded State VASE medallions.
Once the Exemplary Rating is achieved, to attain the highest achievement at VASE, the state jury panel must select your entry as a Gold Seal winner, and a Gold Seal medal is received, plus your artwork gets to be displayed on the official VASE website for many others to see.
Truthfully told, Fernanda stated, “Honestly, I’m surprised that I’m going to State. I didn’t expect to make it this far but I’m very thankful and proud of myself.” So, if you happen to see her in the halls, make sure to wish her a “Good Luck at State!”
