Winner of Congressional Arts Competition Visits Washington, D.C. for Unveiling of Art Exhibit

WINNER OF CONGRESSIONAL ARTS COMPETITION VISITS WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR UNVEILING OF ART EXHIBIT

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) welcomed Melissa Goldman, the 9th
^{Congressional District winner of the 26th Annual Congressional Arts Competition, to Washington, D.C today. Melissa and her mother, Leslee Goldman, joined Congresswoman Schakowsky on the Capitol steps for a photograph before attending the Artistic Discovery ribbon cutting ceremony. Melissa's artwork entitled Hey Kool! will be on display in the U.S. Capitol next to winners from 49 other states.}

^{"I am delighted that Melissa and her mother were able to come out to Washington to attend the special ribbon cutting ceremony," said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. "I am honored to have Melissa's artwork represent the 9th Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol. Millions of visitors, staffers and elected officials will view Melissa's artwork on their way to and from the Capitol."}

^{On May 5th, Congresswoman Schakowsky announced the winners of the 26th Annual Congressional Arts Competition, An Artistic Discovery, at an award ceremony in the Skokie Public Library. Schakowsky praised the talent of local student artists and announced that the first-place entry would be displayed for a full year in the 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 Schakowsky. "Although there is only one first place winner, I truly believe that every one of the students that submitted artwork is a winner."}

^{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.}