Bella Vista representing state at egg roll

CLOVIS — A 140-year old tradition will be injected with a bit of Clovis spirit this year as the Arts Academy at Bella Vista was selected to design an egg that represents the state of New Mexico for this year's White House Easter Egg Roll.

Teachers and students at the school have been working on their design since last week when the school was notified it had been selected as New Mexico's representative.

Principal Shelly Norris said the state's Public Education Department picked the Arts Academy to represent the Land of Enchantment partly because of its high-achieving status, earning an A grade from the PED.

"To be selected and to be able to showcase New Mexico, and of course we're going to showcase Clovis schools and the Arts Academy, that's a big deal," Norris said.

The school will provide the White House with a picture of the completed painting that will then be printed on an oversized, two-dimensional egg that will greet the guests as they enter the event on April 2.

Kindergarten teacher Janet Robertson, who is directing the project, said the design should be complete by Friday.

The Arts Academy's design includes the Zia symbol and the school's Bravehearts logo, along with traditional New Mexico imagery including hot air balloons, mountains and a prominently featured church.

"The challenge that we have is there's so much beauty in New Mexico and there's so much to pick from," Norris said. "We'll just try to fit as much in there as possible."

The school wanted to include a representative from each grade so kindergartner Melanie Lopez, first-grader Jazlene Navarrete, second-grader Aaryiah Haughawaut, third- grader Serenity Vasquez, fourth-grader Yoselin Maya Marruffo and fifth-grader Eziquiel Gamboa have all been working on the design.

Robertson said she has enjoyed working with the kids and seeing them learn as they go.

"Some of the kids haven't painted a whole lot so they're practicing, they're learning," Robertson said. "They're doing a fabulous job though, they really are. They're very talented."

"I really enjoy seeing them learn and also seeing what they already know because they all really are brilliant artists and it's amazing what they can do."

Students and school officials are looking forward to sharing their creation at the Easter Egg Roll next month.

"We're just super excited about it," Norris said. "Not just for the Arts Academy but really for all of Clovis schools, we're going to make sure that Clovis schools is on the map."