Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Students from Valley Christian and Hubbard high schools won the top awards in this year’s Congressional Art Competition.

The competition’s participants from Ohio’s 13th Congressional District entered 57 pieces of original artwork.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, announced the winners during a virtual ceremony Monday with all participants.

The Congressional Art Competition was created in 1982, and hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated at the local level.

This nationwide art competition gives local students an opportunity to showcase their talents, and a chance to have their entry displayed as part of an 11-month exhibit in the Cannon Tunnel that leads to the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC.

“I am proud to recognize these talented students and their artistic abilities. They have shown their creativity and commitment to the arts in a very difficult time for our country — and we are all better for their efforts,” Ryan said.

“Every year, I am impressed with the quality of their work and the courage to allow others to judge what they do.”

Here are the awards:

Best of Show: Jasean Rushton, Valley Christian High School, whose artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol Tunnel in Washington, D.C. for 11 months.

First Place and Second Place: Gabe Gilliland, Hubbard High School;

Third Place: Mallory Greenamyer, Hubbard High School;

Honorable Mention recognition went to:

Lenci Blohm, Cardinal Mooney High School;

Tera Brilmyer, Akron Firestone High School for the Arts (2 pieces);

Gabe Gilliland, Hubbard High School;

Mallory Greenamyer Hubbard High School (2 pieces);

Steve Hiner, Cardinal Mooney High School;

Sierra Kaster, Valley Christian High School;

Chloe Mershimer, Cardinal Mooney High School;

Emma Patchin, Champion High School;

Caralyn Pelini, Cardinal Mooney High School;

Grace Raymer, Cardinal Mooney High School.

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