Unaka High School’s Marisa Williams earned second place in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition in the First District of Tennessee.
U.S. Rep. Phil Roe announced the winners Monday.
Williams’ artwork placed second among 52 entries in the competition, which came from 12 high schools in the district; Beth Stevens of Daniel Boone High School was the winner, the first repeat winner in the 17 years of the First District competition.
While Stevens’ artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol as the district’s overall winner, Williams’ art will also be seen by many. Roe has started a tradition of displaying the second- and third-place winning artwork in his offices for the next year.
In addition to Williams and Stevens, winners announced Monday were: Peyton Christian of Sullivan North High School, third place; and Randi Buck of Cherokee High School and Diana Guzman of Greeneville High School, honorable mention.
“The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent across the nation,” Roe said. “This contest inspires artistic creativity and achievement and I’m proud to see such talented high school students in the First District. Congratulations to our winners, and a special thanks to all who participated.”
The nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored each spring by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The contest is open to all high school students. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.