SSHS junior paints South Summit School District holiday card

From left to right Lucia Patino, Angel Rodriguez's mother, student winner Angel Rodriguez, teacher Sue Shuppy, SSHS Principal Chris Jenson. Photo: South Summit High School

KAMAS, Utah —  A South Summit High School (SSHS) student’s painting will be the face of the South Summit School District’s holiday cards this year. Angel Rodriguez, a junior at SSHS, won the eighth annual South Summit County holiday card contest with his detailed oil painting of Santa Claus. Rodriguez created the painting in his advanced painting class, taught by Sue Shuppy.

“He was shocked to learn that he won the contest, which is voted on by a committee,” a South Summit School District press release said. “[Lucinda] Josie coordinated with Principal Chris Jenson, Shuppy, and Rodriguez’s mom, Lucia Patino, to surprise him with the news in painting class and present him with a $100 gift card.”

Rodriguez’s original oil painting has been converted into a digital image that will be featured on the school district’s official holiday card.

“It has been given to every district employee, all Utah school districts, local municipalities, and the Governor’s office,” said the press release. “In addition, Rodriguez sold the original to a district employee. Other employees have already approached asking to purchase digital copies for themselves.”

The South Summit School District holiday card contest was started by Lucinda Josie, the district’s human resources director, as a way to showcase students’ skills to the public. The contest rotates to one of the district’s five schools each year, giving students K-12 the opportunity to participate.

“In a time when the world seems to be focusing on and filled with so much negative and divisiveness, it’s refreshing to see a focus on things that are positive. Our South Summit students are awesome. I love that when we open up this opportunity, we get to see and celebrate their skills and talents. It also serves as proof that amazing things are happening here in the South Summit School District,” Superintendent Greg Maughan said in a press release.