Sarasota, Florida – Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) has announced the winners of the 2010 High School Congressional Arts Competition. The first-place winner of the annual competition was Rebeca Castro of Ellenton.

Buchanan and Ringling Museum Interim Executive Director Marshall Rousseau announced the winners this week at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

“I am very impressed by the exceptional talent of every student who submitted artwork as part of the competition,” said Buchanan. “I look forward to seeing the winner’s art placed on display in the nation’s Capitol.”

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in each Congressional District.

Ringling Museum Associate Curator of European Art Dr. Virginia Brilliant, Associate Curator for Modern and Contemporary Art Dr. Matthew McLendon and Exhibition Information Coordinator Donn Roll judged 24 entries from Sarasota and Manatee.

The winning entry, Rebeca’s computer generated art entitled “Still Doll” will be showcased for one year in the highly traveled corridor between the U.S. Capitol and the Cannon House Office Building.

The home schooled 9th grader will receive roundtrip airfare to Washington to attend the Congressional Reception as well as an opportunity to receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Other top finishers included:

• First Runner Up: Marielle Higgins of Venice High School

• Second Runner Up: Sabrina Torres of Bayshore High School

• Third Runner Up: Theresa Barkasy of Lakewood Ranch High School

Their art work will remain on display in the Children’s Room Visitor’s Pavilion at the Ringling Museum of Art until next spring.

(Congressman Vern Buchanan & Rebeca Castro, winner of the 2010 Congressional Art Competition)