Story by: Nancy Bonds, GCCISD Director of Communications

Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) senior Mattie Dotson of Ross S. Sterling High School earned the district’s High School Best of Show award for her piece, The Lost Cow, which was also selected for the prestigious Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Auction. Her artwork sold for $15,000 at auction on March 15, 2026, with a portion of the proceeds supporting her education next year. 

Mattie Dotson, a senior at Ross S. Sterling High School, poses with her award-winning artwork, The Lost Cow, alongside The Lost Horse, a piece she created in first grade at Stephen F. Austin Elementary.  Photos by: Carrie Pryor-Newman

This recognition is among the highest honors in the competition and highlights the exceptional talent of GCCISD student artists. Dotson was the only GCCISD student selected for this year’s auction and the first Sterling High School student to advance to auction in 10 years.

Dotson, a 12th-grade student taught by art teacher Annie Watson, has spent her entire academic career in GCCISD, attending Stephen F. Austin Elementary, Cedar Bayou Junior School, and Sterling High School. She is also an accomplished student-athlete, having competed in tennis for three years and qualified for a regional powerlifting competition, while maintaining a strong academic record, including dual-credit coursework and a class rank of No. 13.

Her artistic journey began in elementary school, where she discovered a strong interest in art and a preference for it over other creative outlets. Notably, her first-grade artwork, The Lost Horse, created at Stephen F. Austin Elementary under teacher Tina Clark, was also selected for the rodeo show, marking an early milestone that helped shape her passion.

“Seeing others improve and grow has pushed me to spend more time on my art and challenge myself,” Dotson said. “It’s also therapeutic, and I enjoy the competitive aspect of it. I want to continue having fun while creating at a high level with strong technique.”

Throughout high school, Dotson has participated in competitions such as the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and has learned from art educators Annie Watson, Brandie Barriga, and Darcy McDonald. She credits the support and resources available in GCCISD’s art programs as key to her development.

“We have a lot of resources, and our teachers are always willing to help and encourage experimentation,” she said.

Dotson said the opportunity to have her work included in the rodeo auction was both meaningful and rewarding. With auction pieces often reaching significant bids, students receive a portion of the proceeds to support their postsecondary education.

Looking ahead, Dotson plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study psychology. While she intends to pursue a career outside of the arts, she plans to continue creating as a personal passion.

Her advice to younger students is simple: “Have fun. It takes time to understand different techniques, but that is all part of learning.”

Dotson’s achievement reflects not only her dedication and talent but also the strength of fine arts education across GCCISD, where students are encouraged to grow and excel.