WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eastern North Carolina winners and participants in the 28th Annual Congressional High School Art Competition were recognized at a reception last Friday evening at the Emerge Gallery in Greenville, North Carolina.

Each year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives join together to recognize and encourage the rich artistic talents of young Americans. Members implement the art contest in their congressional districts – featuring paintings, drawings and prints – and bring the winning entry back to Washington, D.C., for display in the U.S. Capitol. Launched in 1982, this nationwide event has produced thousands of local competitions, yielding more than 500,000 high school winners.

“This nationwide event is a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their talents and I am always extremely impressed by the quality of the students’ work,” Congressman Jones said. “I am pleased that so many high school students entered this year’s competition, with a total of 40 participants. I thank the Emerge Gallery for once again hosting this event and all of the sponsors who made it possible for each student to receive a $40 award for their participation this year.”

The sponsors of this year’s competition include AT&T, Progress Energy, R. J. Reynolds, Jones-Onslow EMC and Carteret-Craven EMC.

A panel of qualified professionals judged all of the submitted artwork and selected “Conscience” by Jeffery Maye, a student at South Central High School in Winterville, North Carolina, as “Best in Show.” Jeffery received a $500 award for first place and a $500 travel stipend, as well as eligibility for a scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, valued at $1,500 per year. His work will be sent to the Capitol for the opening exhibition on June 24th in Washington, D.C., where the winning artists and their families are invited to see their artwork hung in the Capitol.

Carrie Austin of J. H. Rose High School in Greenville, North Carolina, received the second place award and $275 for “A time for love and coffee.” Her artwork will be hung in Congressman Jones’ office in Washington, D.C. Jessica Helen Vaughan of South Central High School in Winterville, North Carolina, received the third place award and $225 for “Secrets of a Geisha.” Her artwork will be hung in Congressman Jones’ Greenville office. Isaac Boota of D. H. Conley High School in Greenville, North Carolina, received an honorable mention and $175 for “Not Cool Hand Luke.”

The following students each received a $40 award for their participation:

D. H. Conley High School: Ebony Bailey, Hayley Boone, Lyn Cartwright, Karen DeUrquidi, Matthew McCarthy, Jennifer Mills, Nikki Pope, Garrett Trentham and Allison Whitaker

Farmville Central High School: Jasmen Best, Mohammed Bey, Xzavier Bullocks, Dominique Johnson, Zachary Mayo, Carolina Montaquila, Tra Norville, Hunter Toler, Samantha Wells and Ashley Zurface

Greenville Christian Academy: Rachel Jirouec

J. H. Rose High School: Jeremy Richardson

South Central High School: Skye Beals, Jessica Carman, Maurice Carter, Shaela Churchill, Regina Epps, Naaman Greene, Brooke Harrington, Giulio Lurito, Jessica Muron, Brandy Park, Nick Rowlett, Ethan Roy, Chalanice Taft and Kaitlyn Worrell

White Oak High School: Tevin Neely