Parents sneak into school to watch their children win SPI family vacations

Two Valley children came to school on Wednesday, April 30, not knowing that their parents secretly came to watch them win South Padre Island vacations for their families. At Harvest Christian Academy in Edinburg, parents Bryan and Erin Joseph snuck into the gym and tried to be inconspicuous so their daughter Elia Joseph, 10, wouldn’t see them before the announcement was made. Arts festival co-chairman Carey Kinsolving called the names of finalists for the South Texas Children’s Arts Festival.

After the six Harvest students who had made the finals stood in front of their peers in the gym, Kinsolving introduced Luis Martinez, the chief operating officer of South Padre Island’s Isla Grand Beach Resort.

“And the winner is Elia Joseph,” said Martinez, as Harvest students applauded.

Elia Joseph already has an exciting summer ahead of her as she will travel to Mazatlán, Mexico. Her parents are missionaries in training at the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Edinburg.

Now that their daughter has won this vacation prize for the family, they will rearrange their schedule to spend a week at South Padre Island’s Isla Grand Beach Resort. With two large pools and $600 in Grand Bucks to spend at resort restaurants and snack bars, they will be well rested for their Mexico missionary adventure.

“We’re really proud of Elia,” said Erin Joseph. “She works really hard, and everything she does is 110%.”

Later at Macedonian Christian Academy, parents Eduardo Aparicio and Nallely Reyna snuck into the student assembly to see their son win an SPI vacation for their family at Holiday Inn Beach Resort South Padre Island.

After Kinsolving called nine student finalists to the front of the school assembly, he said, “The winner is Narel Reyna.”

When Kinsolving asked Reyna, 8, how he drew the winning art, he said, “I imagined it in my head, and I just drew it.” Reyna said he’s looking forward to “being in the sand” at Holiday Inn Beach Resort South Padre Island. In addition to being “in the sand,” Reyna and his family will enjoy eating at restaurants on the property through credit that the resort has included as part of their vacation prize.

When asked about her son winning the vacation prize, Nallely Reyna said, “He’s just a miracle from God, and I see God in him.”

Narel Reyna, 8, holds picture of winning writing and artwork at Macedonian Christian Academy. Reyna won a beach vacation for his family at Holiday Inn Beach Resort South Padre Island. Through a resort credit, the Reyna family will dine at resort restaurants. Pictured from left to right: Eduardo Aparicio (father), Naylea Reyna (sister), Nallely Reyna (mother), Carey Kinsolving, Mrs. Hannah Wychopen (Narel Reyna’s teacher) and Narel Reyna. (Courtesy)

To the question, “Why did Jesus say, ‘It is finished’ on the cross?” Narel Reyna wrote, “His job was done, and he defeated death and Satan.”

Festival participants answered and illustrated questions from the Gospel of John. Kinsolving will consider all written answers from the festival for his weekly Kids Talk About God column and the art for his Kids Color Me Bible Gospel of John. All finalists’ writing and art can be seen at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/finals2025.

This is the 13th consecutive year for the South Texas Children’s Arts Festival. Because of sponsors like DLC Pediatrics (Dr. Martin Garza), Bob & Karen Boggus Foundation and Melba’s Dance, there never has been an entry fee.

Questions for the 2025-26 arts festival will be posted in August or September at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/stx.

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