Category: News || By Submitted Report

(Photo courtesy South Allegheny School District, via Facebook)

South Allegheny High School student Kaylee Presson (center) won first prize in the annual Congressional High School Arts Competition sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle.

A spokesman for Doyle's office said Presson was presented with her award last night in a ceremony at University of Pittsburgh's William Pitt student union in Oakland.

Presson is a sophomore art independent study student with teacher Ellen Eyth, a district spokesperson said. Presson's digital painting, "Luna," will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. Her work was selected out of a field of 61 entries from 12 schools throughout Doyle's district.

"I don't know how the judges were able to pick a winner," said Doyle, shown at left. "The effort and dedication that these students put into their work is clear, and their artistic talents are quite evident in the artwork they submitted. They all should be very proud of their creativity and ability."

Miranda Miller from Woodland Hills High School was awarded second place for her charcoal composition "City Built on Hope." Monica Hinda from Montour High School received third place for her pencil drawing entitled "Father Time."

The competition was sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus of the United States House of Representatives. It was the 19th year in a row that Doyle has hosted this event. All public and private high school students within the 14th Congressional District are eligible to participate in this competition.

Other honorees included Rachael Nickell of Springdale High School, fourth place, for her untitled digital artwork; and Allison Pirl, Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, fifth place, for her graphite composition "Bog Turtle."

Honorable mentions included:

• Matthew Mikus, Springdale High School


• Cassandra Olszewski, Highlands High School


• Tikera Daniels, Penn Hills High School


• Meghan Corcoran, East Allegheny High School


• Tre'Onia Lowe, Sto-Rox High School


• Victoria Kipiller, Pittsburgh's Creative and Performing Arts School


• Alex Hodowanec, Montour High School


• Nastasya Baxter, Riverview High School


• Keely Mager, Springdale High School


• Harley Murphy, Montour High School


• Malika Turner, Sto-Rox High School


• Julie Taormina, Riverview High School