Braden River High student wins summer scholarship

Two years ago, Hannah Figueroa thought she was just taking a picture of a cool car.

While she competed at the F1 in Schools World Finals — an international competition for students ages 11 to 16, in which teams build miniature Formula One cars using specific design instructions — in Abu Dhabi, Figueroa snapped a photo of a Formula One race car that caught her attention.

"It reminded me of Batman, and I like Batman," Figueroa said, smiling. "The car had a really clean, sleek look, which was what our team was going for when we built our car."

The photo was "worth more than 1,000 words." It won Figueroa the Best in Show for Digital Photography Award during the preview night of the HeArt & Soul Gala, Jan. 25, at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in downtown Bradenton.

The annual event recognizes middle and high school artists for their work, by displaying their pieces in an exhibit for bidding and viewing.

The East County student was among three winners from county schools.

She also received $500 and a scholarship to take a one-month course at the Ringling College of Art & Design, which she will utilize this summer.

"Three judges picked the winners," said Mary Glass, executive director of the Manatee Education Foundation. "We had 160 pieces submitted. It was a difficult decision, with all the talent we have here in the county."

The HeArt & Soul Gala will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Manatee Performing Arts Center. The event includes a live auction, cocktail reception and dinner.

For more information about the event, call 737-7175.