Schakowsky Honors Niles North, ETHS, New Trier Student Artists

SKOKIE, IL — A Niles North High School student was awarded top prize and students from Evanston Township High School and New Trier High School were named runners-up Thursday in the annual art competition for students in Illinois' 9th Congressional District.

Earlier this week, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky honored students from 15 area high schools who participated in this year's "An Artistic Discovery" congressional art competition. Young artists in every district in the House of Representatives create visual art and submit it to their member of Congress before each district picks a winner in the event. The first-place pieces from each congressional district are hung in the tunnel that runs between the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings for a year, where they are seen by lawmakers, staff and tourists on a daily basis.

The Evanston Democrat congratulated all 35 students from the district who submitted entries to this year's edition of the competition. Every participant from the 9th District had their work displayed at the Skokie Public Library for a month and was honored Monday at a reception and ceremony.

"I always look forward to seeing what local students will create for this annual competition, and this year I was very impressed,” said Schakowsky. “It gives me great pride to view this year’s submissions, as each piece demonstrated immense talent and dedicated work."

Esther Park, of Niles North, was recognized as the district's winner for the 2019 edition of the competition for her work "Alice of Wonderland," a mixed-media piece.

Second place in the competition was awarded to Evanston Township High School student Daniel Sanchez for his watercolor and ink work titled, "They Journey."

The third-place selection was an oil pastel work on paper by Audrey Tir, of New Trier High School, called "My Everyday Expression."

According to Schakowsky's office, students from each of the following schools participated in the 2019 edition of the art competition: Acero Juana Ines de la Cruz, Bridgeview Challenger Day School, Buffalo Grove High School, Evanston Township High School, Loyola Academy, Mather High School, New Trier, Niles Central, Niles North, Niles West, Roycemore School, Senn High School, Sullivan High School, Taft High School and Wheeling High School.

"I would especially like to recognize this year’s top three artists, Esther Park, Daniel Sanchez, and Audrey Tir for their distinguished work," said Schakowsky, a senior chief deputy whip.

Park will receive a pair of round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the Congressional Art Competition award ceremony later this spring. The Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the Congressional Institute.

It's not the first time the Niles North student's artwork has been honored by Schakowsky's office. Last year, her watercolor and pen work "Serenity" was awarded third place in the district's competition.

Past Winners:

• 2018 Congressional Art Competition Winners for Illinois' 9th District
• 2017 Congressional Art Competition Winners for Illinois' 9th District
• 2016 Congressional Art Competition Winners for Illinois' 9th District