By Priscilla Ramirez

The first place card design by Lidia Franzelly Garcia, a UTRGV junior, is a computer illustration titled “Happy Howdy Days: Vaqueros being Book & Boot Smart.” She said her design was motivated by symbolism, with each element in her piece carefully chosen to convey a deeper meaning. Her design was chosen from more than 60 entries, and the card will be distributed to UTRGV faculty and staff, donors, friends of the university and elected officials across the state and country.

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – Lidia Franzelly Garcia said the holidays are usually a time for her to reflect and create goals for the next year.

This year, though, she decided to challenge herself by entering UTRGV’s 2019 President’s Holiday Card Contest.

Garcia, a junior computer science major, designed the winning card and earned a $1,000 UTRGV scholarship.

“Winning this helped me add another accomplishment to my life. It makes me feel extremely proud of myself and reminds me that, with enough persistence and work, you can achieve most things in life,” the Brownsville native said. “I was very pleased to know that I contributed to our UTRGV community this holiday season.”

In a computer illustration titled “Happy Howdy Days: Vaqueros being Book & Boot Smart,” Garcia’s design was motivated by symbolism, with each element in her piece carefully chosen to convey a deeper meaning.

For example, the card features a single Christmas tree decorated with 10 apples to represent abundance and knowledge. At the foot of the tree stands a pair of Vaquero boots, to inspire moving forward in a journey by “booting up through tough times and going forward to strive for academic success.”

“The most special element was the book under the tree, because for me, all the books I’ve read have transformed me in some way or another,” she said. “I like to read spiritual and self-help books because I feel like we should all try to help ourselves a bit.”

Jose Lozano, a senior studio art major from Brownsville, took second place in the UTRGV 2019 President's Holiday Card Contest. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

Victoria Bender, a Mathematics and Science Academy senior from Rancho Viejo, won third place for her holiday card design featuring poinsettias. (UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

She also wanted to communicate how important discipline is throughout the year, including during the holidays. 

“My holidays consist of being surrounded by incredible people who inspire me to become the best version of myself. I take this time of the year to reflect on who I am, how I can improve, what I did wrong or right, and what I learned from it to implement such resolutions for next year,” Garcia said.

Her design was chosen from more than 60 entries, and the card will be distributed to UTRGV faculty and staff, donors, friends of the university and elected officials across the state and country.

The second place card design created by Jose Lozano shows the beauty in nature that both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses offer. He added a touch of holiday nostalgia by editing in Santa’s sleigh.

Victoria Bender's design, which placed third, was a painting inspired by her mother’s flower shop, which is filled with pink and red poinsettia’s during the holidays.

The two UTRGV students who placed second and third in the card contest were awarded a $500 UTRGV scholarship each.

• Jose Lozano, a senior studio art major from Brownsville, took second place for his photograph of a sunset over tall palm trees. He said he wanted to show the beauty in nature that both the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses offer. He added a touch of holiday nostalgia by editing in Santa’s sleigh.
• Victoria Bender, a Mathematics and Science Academy senior from Rancho Viejo, received third place for her painting inspired by her mother’s flower shop, which is filled with pink and red poinsettia’s during the holidays.

All three students will be recognized for their achievements at two of the President’s Holiday Receptions:

From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Ballroom Complex on the Edinburg Campus