PHOENIX—Mesa High School junior Yenifer Macias was selected as the winner of Rep. Greg Stanton’s 2019 Congressional Art Competition. Her photograph “A New Life” will join winning selections from every other congressional district in the country on display in the U.S. Capitol for the next year.
“When you look at Yenifer’s photograph, it’s clear she not only has a great eye, but also something to say,” said Stanton. “Millions of tourists from around the world come to visit the U.S. Capitol every year, and I’m proud that they will see Yenifer’s photograph as a representation of our district.”
Macias, who resides with her family in Mesa, submitted a photo of a young girl holding on to the side of a train. She made the photo in the early morning on the train tracks near Mesa Dr. and Southern Ave. In her submission, she said she created the image to symbolize the struggles and hope of those trying to come to the United States.
Stanton’s office received 42 submissions in its first annual competition. The finalists were selected by a panel of local arts community members.
“We received an incredible, diverse collection of work, and the competition was very tough—there’s no doubt our district is home to some talented young artists,” said Stanton.
The Congressional Art Competition is a longstanding tradition. Since the first contest in 1982, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts the nation-wide high school arts contest each spring to recognize and promote the arts. More than 650,000 high school students have participated in the national competition to date.
Macias will join the other winning artists on a trip to Washington, D.C. to see their work displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. They will also be honored by Stanton and other members of Congress at a reception on Capitol Hill.
Stanton’s office named eight finalists in the competition. Their work will be displayed in his district office.
- Giselle Dominguez, Chandler High School, “Crown of Beauty”
- Paulyn Halum, Xavier College Preparatory, “Being Scribbled”
- Meiven Yang, Desert Vista High School, “Dreamland”
- Isis Castaneda Perez, Desert Vista High School, “David”
- Kyra Mazanec, Desert Vista High School, “The Light Within”
- Caroline Coffman, Xavier College Preparatory, “Lizzie”
- Evelyn Cardona, Xavier College Preparatory, “Flow”
- Edgar Pardo, Mesa High School, “Reflection”