Washington, D.C. -  Congressman David Price today announced the winners of the 2006 Congressional Arts Competition for the Fourth District of North Carolina. High school students from Hillsborough to Durham to Fuquay-Varina participated in the contest. The winners were informed of their award at a reception at Burwell School Historic Site in Hillsborough on Monday.

Helene Singla, an 11th grader at Apex High School, took first prize with her self-portrait. Helene and her art teacher Brenda Brokke will travel to Washington D.C. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 28th. She will join high school students from across the country as they hang their works in the United States Capitol, where they will remain on display for an entire year. Southwest Airlines donated the airfare for the trip.

Helene was also awarded a $3,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, if she chooses to attend the Georgia school.

Alyce Mason of Riverside High School in Durham was awarded second place and her piece will be displayed in Congressman Price’s Washington D.C. office for the year. Third place went to Diane Saunders, also of Riverside High School, and her work will hang in Congressman Price’s Raleigh office.

“I congratulate the many talented students from all over the Triangle area for submitting their works of art,” Congressman Price said. “Every year I am impressed by the level of talent exhibited by our high school students. Artistic ability is truly a blessing for an individual to possess, and I encourage all contestants to continue to make use of their skills for the enjoyment of the entire community.”

The Orange County Arts Commission, the Durham Arts Council, and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County all worked together to facilitate the judging of the competition.