Rep. Vargas Announces Serena Cardenas from Chula Vista High School as the Winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition
San Diego, CA (May 5, 2017)—Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) will announce the CA-51 winners of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition in a reception with students and parents in Chula Vista.
“Every year, I am very impressed by the quality of work, passion, creativity, and artistic capability of high school students in our district,” said Congressman Vargas. “I applaud the students from high schools in our community who submitted artwork to the Congressional Art Competition and were willing to proudly represent California’s 51st District in our nation’s Capitol.”
The first place winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for CA-51 is Serena Cardenas from Chula Vista High School. Her winning art piece titled “Dia de los Muertos” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning pieces from high school students from Congressional districts across the United States until May 2018.
“I was really excited when I started painting this artwork. My process with it was a challenge but at the end, I was really happy with the results because I worked really hard on it,” said Serena Cardenas. “It actually means a lot to me because it is an artwork that has a lot of hours in it and especially because it's something that represents my culture as a Latina. I was really surprised when I first heard I won first place and I couldn't believe it at first. Winning first place in the Congressional Art Competition it's a great honor and I am really grateful for it!”
Each year, Congressman Vargas also honors the Second and Third Place Winners of the Congressional Art Competition. Second Place Winner, Francisco Araiz, from Brawley Union High School was awarded for his work, “One of a Kind.” Third Place Winner, Natalia Lopez, from Chula Vista High School was awarded for her piece titled “Consequence Avenue.”
“I’m proud of all the students who submitted art pieces and joined the competition,” said Congressman Vargas. “Congratulations to Serena Cardenas for winning first place with artwork that highlights the beautiful diversity of our district.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S./Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his third term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
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