A burst of color, creativity, and Trojan pride is lighting up Romero’s Mexican Restaurant this season, thanks to a special Holiday T-Shirt Design Contest that showcased the talents of Pahrump Valley High School art students. The community-minded collaboration invited students to submit original holiday-themed artwork, and the results were nothing short of inspiring.
This year’s first-place design, created by Larissa Mendoza, appears proudly on the front of Romero’s 2025 holiday staff shirt. Second-place artist Marely Gomez is featured on the back of the shirt, and third-place winner Ella Mayen Ubana joined them in receiving gift cards as recognition for their work. All three students impressed the judges with their imagination, attention to detail, and ability to capture the warm, festive spirit Romero’s is known for.
The contest was spearheaded by Alex Romero, a proud PVHS graduate whose family is the owner of Romero’s Mexican Restaurant. Alex wanted to spotlight local student talent in a meaningful way. For him, the project was more than a fun seasonal campaign—it was a chance to give back to a school and staff who shaped his early life.
In a heartfelt letter to PVHS art teacher Mrs. Dabrowski, Romero expressed deep appreciation for her partnership, guidance, and longtime dedication to young artists. He noted that her willingness to welcome the contest into her classroom—and the effort she put into coordinating student submissions—played a key role in the success of the project.
“We were blown away by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and heart behind the entries from your program,” Romero wrote. “Your dedication to your students and to nurturing their artistic voices is inspiring. This contest not only gave us beautiful designs to showcase on our staff shirts and around the restaurant, but also reminded us how powerful local partnerships can be.”
For PVHS, the contest highlighted more than artistic talent—it reflected the ongoing connection between local graduates and the school community. Mrs. Dabrowski, who has inspired and guided students for years, continues to foster confidence and creativity in the classroom, helping young artists explore opportunities beyond school walls.
As Romero’s team dons their holiday shirts featuring student artwork, the collaboration stands as a proud reminder of how community involvement enriches education—and how PVHS students continue to shine when given the chance to show what they can do.
Pahrump Valley is grateful for community partners like Romero’s, and proud of every student who stepped up to share their art.
