Washington, D.C. - May 21, 2004 - U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-14) tonight presented Tyron Morrison from Woodland Hills High School with the First Prize in the 2004 Congressional High School Arts Competition for the 14th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Tyron’s artwork, which will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year, is an acrylic painting entitled “T.L.” His work was selected out of a collection of 49 entries from 9 schools throughout the 14th Congressional District.

The second place prize went to Samantha Barnes from Montour High School for her pastel drawing, “October.” The third place prize went to Daniel Riesmeyer from Penn Hills High School for his work, “Still Life,” which he created with oil paint, pencil, and linseed oil. The fourth place prize went to Chad Wynn from Gateway High School for his tempera painting entry entitled “Crossings.” The fifth place prize went to Ellen Carlson from Gateway High School for her scratchboard artwork entitled “Captain Cameleon.”

“We received 49 outstanding entries for this year’s competition, and I can’t imagine how the judges were able to pick a winner. The hard work and dedication that these students put into their work is clear, and their artistic talents are quite evident in the artwork they submitted. They all should be proud of their creativity and talent,” Congressman Doyle said.

The winners were announced and recognized at an awards ceremony held at the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union in Pittsburgh.

The competition was again sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus of the United States House of Representatives. This was the tenth year in a row that Rep. Doyle has hosted such events. All public and private high school students within the 14th Congressional District are invited to participate in this competition.

“Every year, I am amazed at the talent and creativity of the young people in our communities,” Congressman Doyle remarked. “It is my pleasure to acknowledge and recognize these individuals and their artistic abilities by sponsoring this event every year.”

Due to the large number of outstanding works of art submitted for this competition, the judges awarded the following 12 students Honorable Mentions for their artwork:

1) Brianne Martin South Allegheny High School “Hero Sandwich” Watercolor	7) Katherine Hallberg Woodland Hills High School “Forest Raith” Oil Pastel
2) Roseann Smiechowski Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts “New Crush” Silk Screen on Paper	8) Michael Dengler Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts “Present Reflects Past” Silk Screen on Paper
3) Lauren Heidingsfelder Woodland Hills High School “If You Can’t Read This, You’re Too Close” Acrylic Painting Computer Art	9) Giulianna Ciocca Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts “Eye Can See Clearly Now”
4) Kelly Ackerman Penn Hills High School “The Darker Side of Education” Pencil Drawing	10) Kathleen McIntyre Riverview High School “Color Blind” Acrylic Painting
5) Ashley Waldbaum South Allegheny High School “Self Portrait” Computer Art	11) Sterling Crispin Woodland Hills High School “Cook’s Forest” Colored Pencil on Black Paper
6) Armand Ventura Woodland Hills High School “The Strange Fruit Project” Colored Pencil Drawing Silk Screen on Paper	12) Matthew Dengler Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts “Idealized Athletes”