West Orange High School Student Wins First Place in Congressional Art Competition

Artists come in all shapes and sizes — a statement that showed its colors at a national art competition for high school students hosted by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D- NJ-8). 

"We cant afford to lose our art programs. they are very meaningful to our students — be they music, sculpture, writing — regardless of what it is," said Pascrell.

This year's first place winner in the traditional arts category is David Handsman, a student at West Orange High School.

"I honestly wasn't expecting to win because of all the great artwork I saw," he said. "It feels great to know that my piece caused even one of the judges to say, 'wow, I like this.'"

The Annual Congressional Art Show and Competition at Montclair State University showcased artwork from top high school students at the George Segal Gallery.

"Remember every piece here is a winner, every piece here, every student who participated is a winner ... it takes courage to enter," said Pascrell. 

Handsman's artwork will be on display at Pascrell's district office in Paterson.

He submitted one piece — a self-portrait done entirely in mechanical pencil.

"In the drawing, my drawn self is resting his head on a table while drawing a hand which is drawing an elderly 'me.' The old me is next to my real face, providing a drawn reflection to the young me." 

Celina Pyune from Wayne Hills High School won 1st place in the non traditional art category. 

Other winners in the non traditional art category included:

• 2nd place — Alex Gaynor, Nutley High School
• 3rd place — Laura Andrews, Nutley High School

Other winners in the traditional art category included:

• 2nd place — Diogenis Panagiotis, Wayne Valley High School
• 3rd place — Abdul Latif, Passaic County Technical High School

Art professionals from Montclair State University handpicked the winning pieces from more than 80 submissions from 15 high schools. 

[Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Handsman's art would be displayed at the U.S. Capitol. His art will be on display at Congressman Pascrell's district office in Paterson.]