FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2013

Park Center Student Virginia Yang Wins Congressional Art Contest

Winner to Have Artwork Displayed in U.S. Capitol

Eden Prairie, MN – Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) awarded the grand prize in this year’s Third District Congressional Art Competition to Park Center senior, Virginia Yang.  Representative Paulsen, who organizes the annual competition, presented awards during a ceremony at the Bloomington Theatre & Art Center, who is a partner for the arts competition. Virginia will travel to Washington, D.C. soon to see her winning artwork “See it with your Eyes” put on display for the millions of people who visit the nation's Capitol each year. 

"Minnesota clearly has some incredible young artistic talent and I want to thank all of the students who participated in this year's competition, as well as their teachers who inspire them every day,” said Rep. Paulsen. “Congratulations to Virginia on being chosen this year’s winner and I look forward to seeing her artwork on display in our nation's Capitol soon.”

“This year’s theme “Minnesota, the North Star State” brought out a lot of the beauty of our state. The students really captured the aspects and activities that Minnesota offers all of us and our state’s visitors.”

The Congressional Art Competition was established in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the talents of young artists. This is the 4^th contest organized by Congressman Paulsen, whose office worked with local school districts to encourage student participation. This year, 80 students from 9 high schools took part.

Awards include:

Grand Prize:

Name: Virginia Yang

Title: “See it with your Eyes”

School/Instructor: Park Center/Ms. Laura Meersman

1st Place Award:

Name:  Kendra Hambleton

Title: “Catch a Dream”

School/Instructor:  Rogers/Ms. Su Sebghati

2nd Place Award:

Name:  Isaiah Davis

Title:  “Native Patterns” 

School/Instructor:  Champlin Park/Mr. John Wynia

3rd Place Award:

Name:  Elizabeth Walcher

Title:  “Roots”

School/Instructor:  Providence Academy/Mr. Christopher Santer 

Six Honorable Mentions: 

Name:  Diana Perez

Title:  “Minnetonka Days”

School/Instructor:  Bloomington Kennedy/Mr. Nate Pakan

Name:  Mary Pat Thune

Title: “Endless Fields”

School/Instructor: Osseo/Ms. Jennifer Cramer

Name: Zach Wiome

Title: “Untitled”

School/Instructor: Park Center/Ms. Laura Meersman

Name: Brittanie Rodriquez

Title:  “The Sioux Uprising”

School/Instructor:  Bloomington Kennedy/Ms. Kelly Yackel

Name: Josephine Von Dohlen

Title:  “Northern Sunset”

School/Instructor:  Providence Academy/Mr. Christopher Santer

Name: Dustin Pumarlo

Title:  “Minnesota at a Glance”

School/Instructor:  Park Center/Ms. Laura Meersman

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress visit www.paulsen.house.gov.             

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