Michalia Swanson Wins Congressional Art Award

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan has announced that the winner of this year’s First District Congressional Art Competition is Michalia Swanson, a sophomore at Racine Lutheran High School, who submitted a pencil drawing titled: Hero in My Eyes. Her art teacher at Racine Lutheran is Debra DeKeuster.

Michalia drew a moving portrait of her Uncle Benjamin Swanson standing in front of American flag as a way of honoring his service to our nation during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His rank at the time was HM3, grade E-4, serving in Unit 3/25 Lima Company, 2^nd Platoon. Michalia accompanied her drawing with a poem written for her uncle as well as her aunt, raising their young family in the States.

“I want to congratulate Michalia Swanson on her winning drawing,” Ryan said. “Michalia’s excellent drawing earned top honors this year, and I look forward to seeing her artwork displayed at the Capitol where visitors from all over the country will have a chance to view it.”

As part of the prize, Michalia and a family member will fly to Washington, D.C., for the June 26 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Her artwork will be on display in the U.S. Capitol’s Cannon Tunnel for one year. Michalia has also been awarded a $12,000 scholarship at the prestigious Savannah School of Art and Design.

DeKeuster noted, “This is a tremendous honor for Michalia. She is a talented and accomplished artist, and I am pleased to see her skills unfold each year that she spends in Racine Lutheran’s fine arts department. The substantial scholarship will allow her to develop further artistic professionalism.”

For more information on Racine Lutheran, visit the web site at RacineLutheran.org, follow the school on Facebook, or contact the Admissions Office at sdrummond@racinelutheran.org. Racine Lutheran is located at 251 Luedtke Avenue in Racine.