AUSTIN - From Monday, June 1 to Friday June 5, 2009, the office of Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso) will host a gallery of winning entries from the El Paso ¡Ganas! student photo and essay contest in the South Central Gallery of the state Capitol Building in Austin, Texas.

¡Ganas! is a student photo and essay contest designed to promote youth empowerment. Senator Shapleigh's office, and the Ysleta and El Paso independent school districts launched the first-annual contest this year.

Beginning in January 2009, 250 digital cameras were delivered to participating schools in El Paso. Students were asked to join the contest by taking photos of people, culture or places that have a positive influence on their values, families and community. Teachers mentored students in writing a 100-word essay on what the photo means to them. The contest was open to any K-12 student who enrolled in El Paso schools.

Next week, the contest's top 50 entries will be on display for Capitol staff and visitors to view.

"We are proud to host the best art of El Paso students. Thousands of Texans will see our culture, our community and our cariño," Senator Shapleigh said.

For more information on ¡Ganas! and to view all the contest entries, please visit, http://ganas2009.com/ or http://shapleigh.org.

What:               ¡Ganas! photo and essay contest winner gallery

When:              Monday, June 1 to Friday June 5, 2009

Where:             South Central Gallery of the Texas State Capitol Building, Floor E2

                        (Click here for a map: http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/plan/FloorPlan/Exten2.htm)

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