Tonight, Birmingham City Schools welcomed students, families, educators, and community members to the Roots and Routes Opening Reception, celebrating the many cultures, stories, and experiences that make our community so vibrant.

In partnership with the Birmingham Museum of Art, Desert Island Supply Co. and the Fiesta Festival, Roots and Routes presented an opportunity for our scholars to have their creativity showcased. Scholars were encouraged to submit artwork or essays to their ESL or art teachers to participate in the Roots and Routes Art Contest.

The students' works were first displayed during the Fiesta Festival on September 26. and will be on display at Birmingham Museum of Art through October 26.

Winners in the contest were honored tonight as well:

Yunior Caballero, fourth grade at Tuggle Elementary School

Emilio Rios, third grade at Tuggle

Christopher Reyes, third grade at Tuggle

Marcos Lopez, fourth grade at Tuggle

Aubry Whited, eighth grade at Green Acres Middle School 

Sophia Hernandez, fifth grade at Huffman Academy 

(not pictured) Shakir Statum, senior at Woodlawn