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ARVIN — There was a lot to see at the Arvin High School campus on Cinco de Mayo — a car show, food booths and more — but most eyes were downcast.

That’s because, thanks to the school’s first Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, the concrete had come alive with Aztec warriors, scenic vistas, flags and dancers.

About a dozen students participated in the contest, which celebrated multiculturalism and artistic abilities by having students illustrate what Cinco de Mayo means to them.

“We wanted to promote art, but do it in a good way versus tagging walls and buildings,” said senior Jesus Rojas, president of the Academic Bridge Club, which partnered with the Multicultural Club in putting on the day’s events.

Interested students first submitted sketches to be approved by student teacher and art instructor, John Abarca, who said he was blown away by the students’ abilities.

“I was more than impressed,” said Abarca. “This event gives students an opportunity to demonstrate abilities they normally wouldn’t have a venue to showcase.”

Participants ranged from those who are The Marketplace’s Via Arte regulars to others who didn’t yet know their artistic talents.

Juan Gonzalez, a junior, has been drawing since the sixth grade. His intricate mural included grape vines, an Aztec warrior and pyramid, a heart with wings and U.S. and Mexican flags.

“I wanted to show the rest of the school I’ve got talent,” said Gonzalez.

Brothers German Rojas, a freshman, and Luis Rojas, a senior, combined forces to execute their sidewalk masterpiece, which included a girl, a lowrider car, a Mexican flag and a bear, images they said represented both Mexican and Arvin High pride.

Diana Cruz and Ariane Del Carmen captured both the old and new Mexico in their piece, which included an “old-school” Mexican man and woman set against the backdrop of a modern city.

“Our youths are inundated by a lot of negative stuff,” said Marci Kidd, community specialist and Academic Bridge adviser, who added the contest was a crucial part of an effort to get students to take pride in their culture — and themselves. “They’re making the community more beautiful.”            

Organizers hope to make the chalk art contest an annual event, and one that garners more student and community participation each year.

“I’m loving it,” said community counselor Jareth Regpala, looking around at the murals appreciatively. “It’s hard to start a tradition, but I think we did it.”