Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Shuster welcomed the 9^th District’s winner of the 2007 Congressional Art Competition to Washington, DC.  Shannon Dapper, a student at Chestnut Ridge High School in New Paris won First Place and will represent the 9^th District in the gallery of winners from across the nation.

“Once again, students from across the 9^th District have shown their talent and creativity in the visual arts,” Shuster said. “Shannon’s creativity and eye for detail stood out and impressed us all with her expert use of watercolor and ink.  I am sure that her painting will impress thousands of others as it hangs in the highly traveled Capitol complex."

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual event that allows Congress to recognize achievement in the visual arts for secondary school students across the nation.  Each year, the 9^th District makes a strong showing and this year is no different. 

Shannon’s beautiful watercolor and ink painting entitled “Saint Clairsville Relic” will be displayed in the tunnel that connects the Cannon House Office Building to the Capitol.  This tunnel serves as the main point of entry for tours as well as Members of Congress and their staffs to the Capitol.  Because of this, thousands of people throughout the year will admire Shannon’s artwork on a daily basis.