U.S. congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) announced recently the 14th District winner of the 2018 congressional art competition is Sydney Berenyi of Oswego High School. Her piece, “Lily,” won out of the 57 submitted from the District.
The winning artwork piece will hang on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year; the second place winner will be placed in Hultgren’s Campton Hills district office, and the third place winner will hang in the McHenry district office. As winner, Sydney received two round-trip plane tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend festivities in June with other winners from around the country.
“The number of submissions this year was amazing, as was the talent on display from the across the 14th District; all residents should view the fantastic gallery of submissions,” said Hultgren. “Sydney, Lauren, Hannah and all participants are to be commended for their hard work and talents. The future is bright as these students use their talents for their own enjoyment and that of the community.”
The winner was announced at an evening reception attended by parents, students, teachers and community members at Aurora Christian High School.
Additional winners include:
• Second place, Lauren Abrell, Oswego High School, “New York City From the World Trade Center.”
• Third place, Hannah Paschke, Geneva High School, “Thoughts in Bloom.”
• Judge’s Award, Gabi Salabaj, Geneva High School, “Reflection of Iris.”
• Judge’s Award, Bridget Mahoney, Geneva High School, “Into the Blue.”
• Judge’s Award, Sophie Wiencek, Oswego High School, “Light and Shadow.”
Speakers at the event included:
• Dr. Collette House, Superintendent Aurora Christian Schools;
• Vincent Chiaramonte, an accomplished portrait painter, a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago who was judge of this year’s competition.
The Congressional Art Competition was created in 1982, and hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated. More information is available on the Congressional Art Competition website.
—U.S. congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14)