Round Rock Student Earns Top Prize In Congressional Art Contest

ROUND ROCK, TX — A Round Rock student was was awarded the top prize in an annual congressional art competition — which includes an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.— over the weekend, officials said Monday.

Cedar Ridge High School student Nicole Marie Petrik was awarded first place for her art piece titled "Innocence" as "best in show" at the young artists' competition. Other Round Rock ISD winners included Bobbie Requejo, Jordan Wormley and Jillianne Yap, all from Stony Point High School.

Additionally, two students from Leander, Abbigail Spillane and Evan Hoffman, both from Rouse High School, came in second place in their respective categories.

The contest was one of several taking place at congressional districts across the country, including District 31 represented by U.S. Rep. John Carter.

“The young men and women in District 31 really brought their A game," Carter noted in a prepared statement. "It was certainly difficult for our judges to choose the winners. I look forward to Nicole’s visit to Washington, D.C., and seeing her artwork represent District 31 in the Capitol each day."

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Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district, according to information on the event on the U.S. Congress website. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated, according to the site.

Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and the winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

This year's winners were announced at a Saturday reception hosted by Carter and city officials. The hour-long ceremony took place at the Texas State University Round Rock campus, 1555 University Blvd., and was free and open to the public.

"Congratulations to all of our participants for their hard work,” Carter added in his prepared statement.

Below is the complete list of winners under each category:

PAINTINGS

1st Place: “Sister Part II” by Kendra Garmon, Academy High School

2nd Place: “Inner Colors” by Rowan Dennis, Liberty Hill High School

3rd Place: “Pine Cones and Flowers” by Jordan Wormley, Stony Point High School

DRAWINGS

1st Place: “Innocence” by Nicole Marie Petrik, Cedar Ridge High School (pictured as Best In Show)

2nd Place: “Sophie” by Mary Fluitt, Georgetown High School

3rd Place: “Chloe” by Cristina Yasquez, Georgetown High School (not pictured)

MIXED MEDIA

1st Place: “There’s An Opening” by Rachel Cannon, Killeen High School

2nd Place: “Flight” by Morgan Brunning, Georgetown High School

3rd Place: “Perspective” by Jillianne Yap, Stony Point High School


PHOTOGRAPHS

1st Place: “Reflecting” by Jacklyn Baez, Georgetown High School (not pictured)

2nd Place: “Solitary” by Thomas Byrd, Thrall High School (not pictured)

3rd Place: “Below Reality” by Dylan Barrington, Thrall High School

COLLAGES

1st Place: “Eesome Night” by Bobbie Requejo, Stony Point High School

2nd Place: “I Change My Mind” by Abbigail Spillane, Rouse High School (not pictured)

COMPUTER-GENERATED ART

1st Place: “You Can Take the Girl Out of Texas…” by Carley Thompson, Killeen ISD Career Center

2nd Place: “Loss of Self” by Evan Hoffman, Rouse High School

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“I’ll Carry It With Me” by Julie Vandagritt, Gateway College Prep High School

>>> Photo of Nicole Marie Petrik with Rep. John Carter via District 31 congressional district website