(Washington, DC)  – Rep. Wasserman Schultz will join Andres Zighelboim, a student from University School of Nova Southeastern University in Davie, to unveil his art work in Washington, DC, on June 24, 2009.  His painting will hang in the United States Capitol building for the next year.  Zighelboim won the Congressional Arts Competition held for students in the 20th Congressional District of Florida.

Each year, local students can enter their art in Rep. Wasserman Schultz’s Congressional Arts Competition.  The winning student is invited to an award ceremony in Washington, DC and their entries are displayed for one year as part of a national exhibition in our nation’s Capitol.

The Congressional Arts Competition was started in 1982 to showcase and promote the artistic work of talented high school artists around the nation. Since the first contest in 1982, nearly 5,750 competitions have been held, and more than 700,000 high school students have participated nationwide.

“We are truly fortunate as a community to be surrounded by so many bright and talented young people here in South Florida,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz at the Congressional Art Competition at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. “A child who grows up honoring his or her creativity becomes an adult who enhances the cultural and social resources in the community.”

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz went on to congratulate the many dedicated art teachers and institutions that value art as an integral part of education. “The work submitted to this competition by these young artists speaks volumes about Florida’s dedication to arts education,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “We are fortunate to have schools with dedicated and talented art teachers.”

The complete list of winners of the Florida 20th Congressional District Art Competition are:

•  First place:    Andres Zighelboim
  • piece: Bursting at the Seams
  • school: University School of NSU,
  • teacher: Ms. Melanie Cohen.
• Second place:    Sarah Bennett
  • piece: Self Portrait with Shoe.
  • school: University School of NSU,
  • teacher: Mrs. Melanie Cohen.
• Third place:    Liat Stilman
  • piece: Fallen but not Forgotten,
  • school: Cypress Bay High School,
  • teacher: Ms. Bizzy Jenkins.
• Fourth place:     Marinna Williams
  • piece: Aqua Sole
  • school: American Heritage
  • teacher: Ms. Deborah Brock