The Melissa High School Visual Arts program had an impressive showing at the Regional Texas High School Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Independence High School. Melissa High School had 24 students compete, with 21 earning the highest possible score and two students advancing to the State Competition with their qualifying art pieces.
The Texas High School Visual Arts Program (VASE) receives approximately 35,000 entries per year. Students who participate in the VASE competition must create an original art piece, share a narrative reflecting on their creative process and understanding of visual arts, and engage in a discussion about their artwork with a judge.
At the Regionals, Melissa High School students competed across four divisions, representing the highest levels of competition. Senior Sophia Helton competed in Division 1, earning a 4-point rating and qualifying for state with one of her two submitted artworks, the sculpture A Blissful Dance into Tomorrow. Freshman Prajwal Saha competed in Division 4 and also earned a 4-point rating, qualifying for state with his pen-and-ink drawing, Badai Imambada, Lucknow.
Good luck to Sophia and Prajwal at the State Competition on April 24-25 at San Marcos High School. Congratulations to these talented artists and to Melissa High School art teachers Diana Ortiz, Krissy Waldman, and Brandon Howell for their guidance and support throughout these artists’ journeys!
VASE Regionals MHS Participants:
Sophia Helton - State Qualifier
Prajwal Saha - State Qualifier
Alisha Akhare
Deacon Ashley
Evie Blount
Natalie Collins
Kaydin Cordell
Sofia Gonzales
Samantha Hamelers
Madison Hoffman
Anjali Kallakuri
Lakeisha Kouassi
Regan Lipsett
Malea Majors
Zoe Mendoza
Asia Moreno
Gayatri Nalajula
Haneen Price
Alessandra Royer
Vedasri Sai Kolla
Reese Seymour
Natalia Stojnic
Althea Tate
Maylee Wells