DETROIT (WWJ) – There were a lot of smiling faces at the Parade Company in Detroit on Monday. That’s where the winner of this year’s Parade Float Design contest were announced.

Top honor went to Detroit eighth grader Robin Ryce of Warrendale Charter Academy in Detroit for her Color Art Studio design.

But, this year, the work of Honorable Mention artists like fourth grader Eduardo Rojas will also be featured on easels aboard the float. Eduardo says the news had him very excited.

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“When I was a little kid, I seen this movie called the Lion King and, and instead of the lion being the king — I decided the Zebra would be,” said Rojas. “Zebra’s are kinda’ nice.”

Eduardo says he entered the contest to make his family proud of him.