Lake Dallas, TX – Today, Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26) announced the winner of the fifteenth annual 26^th Congressional District art competition. The art competition was open to public, private and home-schooled high school students residing in or attending schools in the district. Ms. Scout Streit, a junior art student of Kathy Toews at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, won the Grand Prize in the 2017 competition with her color photograph entitled “Allegiance.” 

“This contest is designed to highlight the artistic achievements of our local high school students and to share the results of those talents with our area and the rest of the country,” said Burgess. “Scout’s work makes the 26^th District proud. She is a very talented young woman with a tremendous gift.” 

Congressman Burgess honored the finalists at a reception at the Patterson-Appleton Art Center in Denton hosted by the art competition’s co-sponsor, The Greater Denton Arts Council.  The juried competition was judged by professional artist, Millie Giles. 

For the sixth year, entries were submitted digitally by art teachers on behalf of their students. A “Texas Choice” winner was selected by popular vote in the virtual gallery on Congressman Burgess’ website. Ms. Ashlyn Brightly was the winner of this category for her artwork entitled “Blooming Wood.” She is a senior at Flower Mound High School and her art instructor is Jason Hyde.

In addition, the jurist reviewed the posted artwork and determined the contest finalists based upon artistic merit. She selected a “Best of School” Award for one student from each school based on her appraisal of their work. The Juror's Award was based on her appraisal of artwork that had a high level of artistic merit and execution ranking under that of the Best of School Award. These students were also finalists in the competition.

These 25 finalists delivered their artwork to be physically and visually judged for the Grand Prize and First Place.  All of the finalists were publicly recognized at the reception by Congressman Burgess with a “Certificate of Congressional Recognition.”

As the Grand Prize winner, Scout 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, DC in June. The ceremony will honor the winning artists from congressional districts all over the country. In addition, Ms. Julia Adkins, a junior at Flower Mound High School and a student of Suzanne McLeod, won First Place for her photograph entitled “Children of Kenya.” Julia will have her artwork displayed in Congressman Burgess’ Lake Dallas district office for the next year. 

 “Congratulations are in order for Scout, Ashlyn, and Julia for their creative achievements,” said Burgess. “I was pleased to bring this worthwhile art program to the high school students of the 26^th District and look forward to next year’s competition.”