Batavia, IL – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced that Carrie Sha, a junior from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, was selected as the winner for this year's 14th District Congressional Art Competition.

“I'd like to thank all of the students for participating in this year's competition and I’m pleased to congratulate Carrie Sha for her winning entry,” said Hultgren. “I continue to be impressed by the ability and creativity of the students in our area and look forward to sponsoring this competition for years to come.”

Sha’s submission, “Senior Smile”, was selected by a panel of five local judges from among more than 20 entries from area high school students. The portrait will hang in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year. She will also receive a roundtrip ticket to Washington D.C. compliments of Southwest Airlines.

Hultgren presented Sha with a certificate and ribbon at a reception at Water Street Studios in Batavia on Monday, April 23.

The Congressional Art Competition was created in 1982 as an opportunity to showcase the talent of high school students and acknowledge gifted young artists. Hundreds of thousands of high school students have been able to participate at the local level over the years.

###