ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Three students from Laguna Creek High School were presented with checks for winning the 2025 Elk Grove Western Festival Poster Contest.

The winners were announced and presented with checks for their winning submissions during the public comment period at the Elk Grove Unified School District meeting on Wednesday, May 7.

Kizhia Abad took first place and $300; Ugochi Nize earned $200 for a second-place finish and Diego Lobato was presented with a $100 check for third place. Jaydenn Villa was selected for an honorable mention and $50 but was not able to attend. 

Art instructors Freddy Santana and Jose Villedas also attended the presentation. 

The Western Festival has been cancelled since 2020 with plans to return in 2025, but those hopes were dashed after the planning committee failed to meet certain requirements requested by the Cosumnes Community Services District. 

The committee opted to keep the poster contest ongoing.