Ypsilanti, MI - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today congratulated all the students who took part in the 15th Congressional District Arts Competition, with special recognition for the three students that received honors for their work.

“I am very proud to announce the winners of the 15th District Arts Competition,” said Dingell. “I would like to offer my congratulations to Rebekah Smeltzer of Jefferson High School in Monroe, who took top honors; Erin Greener of Summerfield High School in Petersburg, who took second place; and third place winner Michelle Johnson, also of Summerfield High School. I also want to congratulate Nasser Alqirsh of Fordson High School for winning a $5,000 renewable scholarship to the College for Creative Studies.”

Rebekah Smeltzer, the first place winner, will have her winning work displayed in the corridor connecting the US Capitol to the Cannon House Office Building for one year starting this June. In the corridor, the artist’s work will be viewed by Members of Congress and thousands of tourists as they travel to and from the Capitol. The artist and a parent or guardian will be invited to Washington, DC for the Capitol exhibition’s opening ceremony.

The artwork of Erin Greener and Michelle Johnson will be proudly displayed in Congressman Dingell’s Washington, DC office through June 2008, where visitors from all over the world will have the opportunity to appreciate the talents of these fine young artists from Michigan’s 15th Congressional District.

A total of 47 students from nine area high schools participated in this year’s competition at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center in Ypsilanti.

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