New Bedford Student Wins Worldwide Contest For Brazilian National Team

 New Bedford Sixth Grader Earns Global Win

A New Bedford student is getting international attention after his artwork was selected for a once in a lifetime honor.

Leo Silveira, a sixth grader at Nativity Prep, has won a world-wide drawing contest that will give him the honor of having his artwork adorn the side of the Brazilian national team's bus for the FIFA World Cup.  Think about it. Out of all the entries from around the world, a boy from New Bedford came out on top. What an incredible achievement for the young man.  Leo has made his school and his city proud.

A Perfect Match Of Talent And Passion

Leo, who moved to the United States from Brazil about five years ago, has always had a deep love for soccer. According to Nativity Prep Head of School Christian Garris, you will not find him doing much else during recess.

“He’s soccer all the time,” Garris said. “He’s the star on the soccer team.”

That passion, combined with his artistic ability, made him the perfect candidate for the contest. His art teacher, Ms. Guzman, recognized his talent early and encouraged him to enter. Garris says that is one of the major advantages to attending Nativity Prep. "The classes are small enough that our art teacher recognized his ability and encouraged Leo to enter."

A Dream Come True

When Leo’s mother, Fernanda Silveira, received the email from FIFA announcing the win, she initially thought it was a joke. But the news quickly became real and sparked an unforgettable moment at home.

Leo says he always believed he could win the contest, even before he entered. When he found out he won the grand prize, the 6th grader leaped into the air in joy, then ran around the house in excitement.

A Special Trip With Dad

As part of the grand prize, Leo and his father, Hugo Silveira, received an all expenses paid trip to see Brazil take on Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

For a young soccer fan, it is a dream come true.

"He'll remember this for the rest of his life," beamed Fernanda.