Aumua Amata Hosts Congressional Art Competition for Island’s High School Students
Pago Pago – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, "The talent on display by our high school students is incredible. I could not be more proud of these young artists and I look forward to sharing this year's winning piece done by Jane Pelenato with the rest of the nation as it hangs in the U.S. Capitol building until next year's competition," stated Amata.
Aumua Amata and First Place Winner, Jane Pelenato with her winning piece
This year celebrates the 33rd Annual Congressional Art Competition - An Artistic Discovery, but the first in quite some time for American Samoa. The nationwide art competition, which is voluntarily sponsored by Members of Congress, allows creative high school students to showcase their talents in Washington, D.C. at the US Capitol Building. The first place winner in each competition will have their winning entry displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year, and are eligible for scholarship opportunities from the Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD). The winning artist is invited to fly to Washington, D.C. for a national reception honoring the winning artists from all over the country.
This year's competition featured participants from all six of the island's high schools. The following artists submitted their entries into the American Samoa wide competition:
Jane Pelenato (First Place) and May Taliga – Nu'uuli Vo Tech High School
Kyrstene Lin (1st Runner Up) and Jack Tuiolosega – Pacific Horizon High School
Sangster Hope Loia (2nd Runner Up) and Tarquin Sopoaga – Samoana High School
Lilly Tovi'o and Tonuahau Paea – Tafuna High School
Diartagnan Mutini and Rejoyce Ivapene Saega – Manu'a High School
Cassie Mahuka and William Fong – Fa'asao & Marist High School
"I would like to thank all of the students and their teachers who have made this competition such a success," said Amata. "I would also like to thank all of the sponsors and those others who assisted in making sure that our island's young artists have the opportunity to display their talent to the rest of the nation, and I am already looking forward to next year's competition," concluded Amata.
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