Chelmsford 4th Grader Wins State Art Recognition

CHELMSFORD, MA — A fourth-grade student at Chelmsford’s Harrington Elementary School was one of three fourth graders statewide to receive the President’s Award by the Massachusetts Art Educators Association Wednesday.

Xavier Herrera, 10, was honored for his drawing titled "Metamorphosis," which depicts a character made up of different animal features.

His work is set to be featured in the MAEA Youth Art Month Virtual Exhibit on display March 15.

Kelly Mazzone, an art teacher at the Harrington School praised Xavier.

"Any project you put in front of him he does well," she said, adding he had an eye toward designing his own characters.

Xavier said the honor is the biggest of his career.

"Honestly, I was very surprised and happy,” he said.

But it may just be one of many steps on his way to pursue a career in art.

“I’m extraordinarily proud of him,” said his mother Xiomara Figueroa. “If you give Xavier a picture of something, he will draw it."