WACO, TX - Commissioned sketches by an award-winning Waco High School (WHS) student artist were unveiled during the Waco City Council Meeting Tuesday. District 3 Council Member Josh Borderud commissioned WHS junior, Maritza Degollado-Ramirez, to draw all six Waco City Council Members on the dais after seeing her work featured in mock trial competition.

"Many members of the Waco-McLennan County Bar Association were deeply impressed with Maritza's courtroom sketches during the high school mock trial competition,” said City Councilmember Josh Borderud. “Her drawings of Waco City Council in that same style demonstrate both her talent as an artist and the strength of the Waco ISD fine arts curriculum. We are so grateful for Maritza's skillful depictions of our current city council in action."

In February, Degollado-Ramirez competed and advanced to the Texas High School Mock Trial State Competition that was held in March 2023. She is the first WHS student to receive a Gold Key award in the digital art category and advance to nationals in January 2023 in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition.

“We appreciate Councilmember Borderud’s continuous support of our students and recognition of our fine arts programs. Martiza has incredible talent and we are thrilled that her work is being showcased in this way,” said Dr. Susan Kincannon, Waco ISD Superintendent.

Maritza serves as the WHS National Honor Society historian, Upward Bound historian, Interact Club member, student council member, St. Francis Church altar server, art club member, student ambassador, and WHS store marketing manager. A dual credit Accelerate student, Martiza is on track to graduate this year with her associate’s degree.