Aspiring young artists from the Third District were honored this weekend in Sylacauga, as Congressman Mike Rogers announced the winners of the 22nd annual Congressional Art Competition.

Stephen Toumala, of Montgomery’s Robert E. Lee High School, took First Place for his pen and ink “Land of the Rising Sun.” Toumala will receive $250 and a roundtrip airline ticket to Washington, DC, for a four-day/three night stay, as well as become eligible for a $12,000 scholarship to the Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design. “Land of the Rising Sun” will be displayed for one year in the walkway leading to the U.S. Capitol.

Placing second was Cherokee County’s Leslie Elaine Perry for her photograph “Solitude.” Perry is a student at Cherokee High School and will receive $200 for her work. She also received an Honorable Mention for her pastel “Mon Ami.” Trey Jackson, Third Place winner for his graphite “Self Portrait,” is a student at Opelika High School in Lee County. Jackson will receive $150 for his artwork.

Honorable mentions included Natalie Roig, a student at Trinity Christian Academy in Calhoun County; Auburn High School students Shelley Laband, Nelson Sunwoo and Carah Wright; and Kentovius Crowder of Opelika High School.

All artwork submitted for the contest was on view at the Isabel Anderson Corner Museum in Sylacauga. A panel of six qualified judges chose the winners out of 44 total entries.
Since 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has showcased the artistic talents of more than 650,000 high school students. No taxpayer funds were used to administer the awards.