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Rio Rancho High Art Students Capture National Vans ChampionshipWere they shoe-ins for the national title? Only the judges know for sure, but one thing's certain: Rio Rancho High reigns supreme once again in the Vans Custom Culture national shoe customization contest for high school students. It's the second time in three years Rio Rancho has captured the national title, which this year comes with a $50,000 award for the winning school and the thrill for students of seeing their designs on shoes sold in stores nationwide. (How's that to put on your resumé!)
The announcement came in a live webcast on May 30 from the awards ceremony in at the Long Beach Museum of Art in Long Beach, CA.
- See photos of the students at the finals on the Van's Custom Culture website!
- See interviews with the judges and the awards presentation!
Rio Rancho High also swept the other award in the Vans competition, the Journeys shoe store "Local Attitude" award, which recognizes the best design reflecting the flavor of the students' local community and comes with an additional $5,000 prize. Rio Rancho's design featured Route 66, among other icons.
Nearly 900 schools competed in this year's contest, which requires students to create and execute custom artwork on four pairs of Vans shoes in different styles -- two lace-up styles, a high-top design, and slip-ons -- to represent four different themes: action sports, music, art, and local flavor. In addition to their four shoe designs, the Rio Rancho art student team -- 19 students under the sponsorship of teacher Matthew Lutz -- designed an "RR" logo that appeared on their shoes and on t-shirts and other material supporting their campaign.
Vans staff whittles the entries down to 50 semifinalists: ten from each of five regions (northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast, and California). The finalists are then chosen by popular vote via the Internet. RRHS was the only semifinalist school in New Mexico, and in addition to strong backing from the Rio Rancho community the school's campaign for votes was supported by other school districts including APS, local and statewide media, and NM Education Secretary Hanna Skandera. The students thank all who voted for their help!
The teams from the five finalist schools earn a free trip to the site of the finals and the awards ceremony. The final judging is done by a celebrity panel of artists and media and sports personalities.
The other finalist schools were Big Bear High School in Big Bear Lake, CA; Mountain View High School in Meridian, Idaho; Watkins Glen High School in Watkins Glen, NY; and Eastern High School in Louisville, KY.
Nearly 900 schools competed in this year's contest, which requires students to create and execute custom artwork on four pairs of Vans shoes in different styles -- two lace-up styles, a high-top design, and slip-ons -- to represent four different themes: action sports, music, art, and local flavor. In addition to their four shoe designs, the Rio Rancho art student team -- 19 students under the sponsorship of teacher Matthew Lutz -- designed an "RR" logo that appeared on their shoes and on t-shirts and other material supporting their campaign.
Vans staff whittles the entries down to 50 semifinalists: ten from each of five regions (northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast, and California). The finalists are then chosen by popular vote via the Internet. RRHS was the only semifinalist school in New Mexico, and in addition to strong backing from the Rio Rancho community the school's campaign for votes was supported by other school districts including APS, local and statewide media, and NM Education Secretary Hanna Skandera. The students thank all who voted for their help!
The teams from the five finalist schools earn a free trip to the site of the finals and the awards ceremony. The final judging is done by a celebrity panel of artists and media and sports personalities.
The other finalist schools were Big Bear High School in Big Bear Lake, CA; Mountain View High School in Meridian, Idaho; Watkins Glen High School in Watkins Glen, NY; and Eastern High School in Louisville, KY.