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28th Congressional Art Competition Honors Local Students

Rep. Schiff and the honored students.

Rep. Schiff and the honored students.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) hosted the annual 28th District Congressional Art Competition Forum this past weekend.

Since its inception in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has allowed over 650,000 high school students to showcase their artistic skills and creativity. This year alone, there were 64 entries representing the 26 high schools in the 28th Congressional District.

“Each year, I get the opportunity to see some absolutely amazing artwork submitted by high school students from across our district,” said Schiff. “All of the students involved deserve recognition for their hard work and exceptional talent, and I hope that they will all continue to enrich our community with their artwork.”

While every student participant received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, there were four particular places of honor.

The judges serving on the panel this year to award the different prizes included Kellye Nakahara Wallett, a well-known watercolor artist who is also known for her role as “Nurse Kellye” in the television series “M*A*S*H,” David Warren, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Hollywood Arts Council and Janet Workman, an artist and active contributor to the Elysian Valley Arts Collective’s annual Frogtown Artwalk.

Schiff announced the first-place winner, a chalk pastel piece called “Gussie” by Lauren Suh of Immaculate Heart High School. Suh’s artwork will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. Second place was awarded to Christine J. Lee of Clark Magnet School for her digital illustration “Her Song,” which will be displayed in Congressman Schiff’s Washington, D.C. office for one year. Third place was awarded to Emily Hogeland of John Burroughs High School for her photograph “Fish Out of Water,”  which will hang in Schiff’s Burbank District Office for one year.

Schiff also awarded the People’s Choice award to Avenia Ghovandian of Glendale High School for her acrylic painting titled “Beauty Stone.” Ghovandian’s piece will be displayed in Schiff’s Hollywood District Office. The People’s Choice award is an opportunity for constituents of the district to vote to honor a student’s artwork. Nearly 2,000 constituents voted in the online contest this year.

Schiff stated, “I particularly want to congratulate Lauren, Christine, Emily and Avenia on being named the winners and look forward to enjoying their artwork in the Capitol and my offices throughout the coming year. Great job, everyone!”