Schakowsky Announces 9th Congressional District Winner of Congressional Arts Competition

SCHAKOWSKY ANNOUNCES 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WINNER OF CONGRESSIONAL ARTS COMPETITION

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced the winners of the 26th Annual Congressional Arts Competition, An Artistic Discovery. Schakowsky praised the talent of local student artists and announced that the first-place entry would be displayed for a full year in the U.S. Capitol.

The winners of the 2007 competition from Illinois' 9th Congressional District are:

Melissa Goldman, Niles West High School-Hey Kool! (1st Place Winner)

Maya Koenig, Niles North High School-Bracha's Burma

Lydia Nieves, Mather High School-Color Me Red

Audrey Kolodziej, Niles West High School-Untitled

Amanda Rachmaciej, Resurrection High School-John

"I am very impressed by the creativity and skill of all of the students from the 9th Congressional District of Illinois that participated in this year's art competition,... U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "Although there is only one first place winner, I truly believe that every one of the students that submitted artwork is a winner....

Melissa Goldman's Hey Kool! will be on display in the hallway of the U.S. Capitol for one year along with other pieces of artwork from students in congressional districts across the country. Melissa and one guest have been invited to the nation's capital to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gala reception opening the Artistic Discovery exhibition. Melissa will also receive a scholarship to the High School Summer Institute at Columbia College Chicago.

"I would like to congratulate Melissa Goldman for winning first prize. I am honored to have Melissa's artwork represent the 9th Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol,... said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "Members of Congress and visitors from all over the world will view this exhibit and will get to see the brilliant work of our nation's finest young artists....

Celebrating its 26th Anniversary in 2007, An Artistic Discovery is an annual competition held in each of the 435 Congressional Districts, created to highlight the importance of art education by recognizing outstanding talented young artists across America.