Small town art students from Deming up for national recognition

DEMING, New Mexico -- Two small town art students are being recognized nationally, and are up for some big bucks that could improve the school's art program for years to come.  

Deming High School senior Kamryn Zachek and junior Annette Guzman spent hours creating their masterpieces, and are now finalists in the annual Van's "Custom Culture" contest.  

Zachek's  "Hometown Pride" shoes feature New Mexico sunrises, chile fields, the Florida Mountains, and clear desert skies.

Guzman's "Head above the Clouds" are displayed on clouds lit up from below, featuring a portrait of a girl on each shoe, one wearing goggles.

There are 250 schools selected to design shoes and share an impact document on what winning the grand prize would mean to them.  Deming High School was chosen as one of the top 50 finalists, and now these students would love your help!  All you need to do is click this link and vote for Deming High.

Deming High's Art Department head, Jesse Kriegel, says the prize money could make a big difference for the school's art department, which is modernizing courses with more technology.

"It would allow us to get technology and provide our students with cutting edge materials out there to help them in the work force or college courses, for after they leave high school," Kriegel says.  

The schools with the most votes will move to the top 5, where four runner-up schools will each receive $15,000 and the grand prize winner will receive $50,000 for their art program. Voting runs through May 7th.

You can visit customculture.vans.com to cast a DAILY vote for Deming High School.