SPRINGFIELD, IL — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the winners of her first Congressional Art Competition at a reception in Springfield. Leo Havey, from Springfield High School, was announced as the overall winner of the contest with his piece titled “Woof Woof.” His artwork will be displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol for one year. 

PHOTOS: Photos from Budzinski’s Congressional Art Competition Reception can be found here.

PHOTOS: Photos from Budzinski’s Congressional Art Competition Reception can be found here.

“Each year, students across the country have an opportunity to participate in the Congressional Art Competition — and the submissions we received in my first contest were truly impressive,” said Congresswoman Budzinski.“I’d like to congratulate this year’s winner, Leo Harvey, and our runner-up, Achilles Delgado, on a job well done. I’d also like to congratulate the students whose work will be displayed throughout my Illinois offices. It’s an incredible honor to showcase the artistic talents of students across Central and Southern Illinois.” 

The runner-up for this year’s Congressional Art Competition in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District was awarded to “Jarring Photo” by Achilles Delgado from Urbana High School and will be displayed in Congresswoman Budzinski’s Washington, D.C. Office. 

Honorable mentions include: 

• “Spinning” by Urbana High School’s Simon Hamilton will be displayed in Budzinski’s Champaign Office.
• “Self, Family and Friend” by Belleville Township High School West’s Rayne Jakob will be displayed in Budzinski’s Belleville Office. 
• “Small Town” by Belleville Township High School West’s Kaeli Bueckman will be displayed in Budzinski’s Decatur Office. 
• “Mirror Dimension,” by Springfield High School’s Katherine Minch and “The Will to Ride,” by Belleville Township High School West’s George Marble will be displayed in Budziski’s Springfield Office. 

Background: Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. The competition requires high school students to submit entries to their representative’s office and a panel of constituents with backgrounds in the arts selects the winning entries. The winning pieces are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

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