Two Dover High students honored by Congressman Gibbs at surprise ceremony
By Kyle Valentini
May 19, 2011
889
Summary: Two Dover High School students were honored by Congressman Bob Gibbs on Wednesday, May 18 when he surprised them with the news they had won the 2011 Congressional Art Competition and their art would hang in Washington D.C. for one year.
Every year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent amongst high school students. One winner is selected from each Congressional district to hang their art work in the U.S. Capitol for one year. A runner up is also chosen to hang their art in the office of the congressman representing their district. Since the Congressional Art Competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the competition.
This years winner is Tricia Matlick, a Dover High School senior. The runner up is Marco Morales, a sophomore at Dover.
The students were treated to a surprise visit from Congressman Bob Gibbs who serves the 18th Congressional district, on Wednesday, May 18. Told only to be expected to be asked to leave class briefly, the students had no idea they had been chosen as the winners for the Congressional Art Competition let alone would be meeting Congressman Gibbs in the lobby.
Congressman Gibbs presented each student with a certificate and congratulated them as the art teachers, Susie Hawk, Jodi Hupp and Kari Stratton beamed with pride. Matlicks mother, Lisa Scalambrino and grandparents, Carl and Virginia Loose were also present at the mid-morning ceremony.
I applaud all the young artists who participated and I look forward to showcasing the winning piece from the 18th District in my office and, in winner Tricia Matlicks case, the U.S. Capitol for the next year, said Congressman Gibbs. I am particularly grateful to their parents, teachers and schools for giving these outstanding young people the chance to explore and develop their artistic interests.
I have always liked art and photography, especially. I used a point and shoot camera for this piece. Im really surprised at this, said Matlick. Matlicks photograph depicts her best friend, seated on a bridge. The same photograph was selected for The Ohio Governors Youth Art Exhibit held in Columbus.
I love art! My whole life I have loved art. Its what I do to relax, to think, said Morales. I havent really considered a career in art, you know, I have to be realistic. But you never know. Morales piece is a print depicting an abstract face.
Its exciting, said Congressman Gibbs. Art, music and the humanities stimulate innovativeness and we need more of that.
The Congressional Art Competition was judged by a select panel from The Art Academy of Cincinnati.
The Congressman was assisted by 18th Congressional District Director, Susan Brinker of Zanesville.
In addition to her certificate and the honor of having her art hang in the U.S. Capital, Matlick will also receive two complimentary airfare tickets from Southwest Airlines so she and her mother can attend the official Congressional Art Competition ceremony in Washington D.C. on June 22.
