Lake Dallas, TX — Today, Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, announced the winner of the 14^th annual 26^th Congressional District high school art competition. The art competition was open to public, private and home-schooled high school students residing in or attending schools in the district. Meghan Adams, a senior art student of Kathy Toews at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, won the Grand Prize with her color photograph entitled “One Team.” 

As the Grand Prize winner, Meghan will have her artwork displayed for an entire year in the U.S. Capitol and has the opportunity to attend the national ceremony in Washington, D.C. this June.  The ceremony will honor the winning artists from congressional districts all over the country. 

“This competition was designed to foster and encourage the creative development of local high school students across the country,” said Burgess. “I am overwhelmed by the level of talent in the numerous submissions from the 26^th district. Meghan’s creativity is inspiring and we are honored to have her represent our district in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.”

Wendy Ampuero won the “Texas Choice” category for her colored pencil artwork entitled “Warrior Woman.” She is a senior art student of Mark Parr at Little Elm High School. The “Texas Choice” winner was selected by popular vote from the virtual gallery on Congressman Burgess’ website.

Jurist Jo Williams, professional artist and instructor, reviewed the posted artwork and determined the contest finalists based upon artistic merit.  The Juror's Award for the Grand Prize and First Place recognitions were based on the appraisal of each piece of artwork’s level of artistic merit.

Additionally, Bryant Grizzle, a senior at Flower Mound High School and a student of Michelle Harper, won First Place for his pen drawing entitled “Corralled but Content.”  Bryant’s artwork will be displayed in Congressman Burgess’ Lake Dallas district office for the next year. 

“Congratulations to Meghan, Bryant and Wendy for their artistic achievements and thank you to all the students that participated in this year’s competition,” said Burgess.

Since the competition was first launched in 1982, more than 5,000 local contests have been conducted that have involved more than 650,000 high school students across the country.