CASA of Walker County and Elliott’s Jewelers honor two children whose drawings for their moms will become custom-designed keepsakes
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (May 15, 2025) – The second annual Sketches to Sparkles jewelry design contest, presented by CASA of Walker County and Elliott’s Jewelers, ended with a joyful surprise on Wednesday evening. Two children were named winners instead of one, each honored for their creativity, emotional depth, and the love they expressed for their mothers through art.
A Contest That Celebrates Creativity and Compassion
The contest, open to children ages 5 to 12, invites young artists to submit original jewelry designs dedicated to someone special in their lives. One winning design is selected to be professionally crafted by Elliott’s Jewelers, with the final piece valued at up to $3,000.
This year, the judging panel was so moved by the entries that Elliott Herzlich, owner of Elliott’s Jewelers, insisted a second design also be turned into a finished piece of jewelry.
“We originally planned to pick one winner,” said Herzlich. “But when I read the story behind the second design, I said—regardless of the results—this one is going to be made too. It meant too much.”
A Dragonfly for Mom
Twelve-year-old Breslyn Trevino was one of the two winners, chosen for her detailed dragonfly pendant design. Created as a tribute to her mother, Heather Trevino, the piece reflects family bonds, faith, and love.
“I thought of my mom and my love for her,” Breslyn said. “She loves God, she loves her three sisters, and I put that into the design. The dragonfly also represents how deeply she feels and how she shows love.”
Her mother, Heather, was moved to tears. “It really touches my heart. I’m so proud of her—her artistic ability, her big heart, the way she thinks of others. She’s always supported me, and I’m honored that she thought of me for this.”
When asked if she would ever wear the jewelry herself, Breslyn smiled and admitted, “I’ll probably borrow it.”
A Heart of Courage
The second winner was 10-year-old Madelei Marti, whose simple yet powerful drawing of a heart included the note: “I drew this for my mom, who is fighting cancer.” Her design, while understated, struck an emotional chord with the judges and organizers.
Though Madelei and her family were unable to attend the announcement at CASA, Development Director Laura Green shared her story with the crowd.
“This one really touched us,” said Green. “Elliott saw her drawing and said before we even picked a winner, ‘This one is getting made.’ It reminded us all of how difficult it is for children to watch their loved ones go through something so hard. This piece is more than jewelry—it’s a symbol of strength and love.”
The design will be crafted as a heart necklace in rose gold with a diamond set at the center, creating a timeless tribute to Madelei’s mom.
Jewelry with a Purpose
The Sketches to Sparkles contest was first launched in 2024 as part of CASA’s All About Kids Expo, a community initiative that celebrates local children and their talents. Elliott’s Jewelers brought the idea to life with the hope of combining artistry with meaningful expression.
Elliott Herzlich, a longtime supporter of CASA, sees the contest as more than just a creative outlet.
“Children have such incredible imaginations,” said Herzlich. “They’ll sit in my office and say, ‘Move that stone over here,’ and I’m amazed. This contest is about fun, but it’s also about giving them a voice and honoring someone they love.”
Herzlich, whose wife serves as president of Sam Houston State University, said both are passionate about CASA’s mission. “We believe in what CASA does for children. Any small act of support can ripple out and make a big difference.”
Recognizing All Participants
Every child who submitted an entry received a gift bag filled with goodies, including a teddy bear necklace, Blue Bell Ice Cream vouchers, and gift cards to local restaurants like Texas Roadhouse.
“We want every child here to know they are a winner,” said Green. “We saw so much talent in every drawing. Judging these was incredibly difficult because of the emotion and thought behind each design.”
A Community Commitment to Children
While the event was not a fundraiser, CASA Executive Director Kimberly Weiser emphasized the importance of community engagement.
“This isn’t just about CASA kids. It’s about supporting all kids in our community,” said Weiser. “Opportunities like this allow us to celebrate their gifts and creativity, while building bridges between CASA and the families we serve.”
CASA of Walker County provides trained volunteer advocates for children in foster care, some of whom remain with a child for years. “Our advocates are the steady presence these kids need,” Weiser said. “That consistency can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”
Looking Ahead
CASA and Elliott’s Jewelers plan to continue the Sketches to Sparkles contest as an annual tradition. Plans are also underway for the return of the Parade of Playhouses this fall, another popular community project where builders create custom-designed playhouses raffled off to support CASA’s work.
Four builders have already committed to participate, with hopes of increasing that number. “They’re not just playhouses,” said Green. “They’re beautifully crafted spaces that light up children’s lives. We’ll begin selling raffle tickets in November and deliver the houses in time for Christmas.”
For updates on Sketches to Sparkles, the Parade of Playhouses, or to learn how to become a CASA advocate, visit CASA’s website.
Thank you so much for that. I literally cried when I read it for the first time.🫂💖
Madelei Yvonne Marti.
Thank you for reading!