June 14, 2005: 9TH GRADE HISPANIC STUDENT LEARNING ENGLISH HONOREDAT THE CAPITOL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2005
9TH GRADE HISPANIC STUDENT LEARNING ENGLISH HONORED
AT THECAPITOL AS FIRST PLACE CONGRESSIONAL ART WINNER
Washington, DC--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today praised the work of Jose Mendez Rodas, a 9TH grade student at Bell MulticulturalHigh School, who is still learning English, and the District of Columbia winner of the 24th National Congressional Arts Competition. Norton joined other Members of Congress at a reception in honor of Rodas and other first place winners from across the country, as their work went on display at the U.S. Capitol today.
Rodas came to the United States from El Salvador less than a year ago. He has excelled in school although he is an English as a Second Language student, living here without his parents, who remain in their native country. Rodas lives with his sister. He is only the second Latino student to be chosen as the D.C. winner in the two-decade history of the congressional art competition. His watercolor on paper will be on display at the Capitol for one year.
Rodas’s watercolor, and art by more than 100 District students who competed in the competition, first debuted at an earlier exhibit and reception sponsored by Norton and the D.C. Congressional Arts Competition Committee.
“I am happy and proud that the congressional competition gives the city’s gifted young artists an opportunity to compete to show their work and compete for prizes,” Norton said, “particularly Jose Mendez Rodas, whose talents have earned him a place in the Capitol for Members of Congress and millions of visitors to see.”
All public and private District of Columbia high school students, grades 9 through 12, were eligible to participate. The competition received 160 submissions from 110 students representing 15 schools. Several of the top D.C. entries received scholarships, U.S. Savings Bonds, merit citations, gift certificates, and other prizes donated by sponsors. Competition categories included painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, photography, and computer-generated art. Artwork was judged by a panel of distinguished artists and curators.