PHOENIX, Ariz. - Senior Mayra Alba, a student at Metro Tech High School in Phoenix, has been selected as the winner of the Fourth Congressional District's Art Competition and will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June, announced U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz. Mayra won the competition with her ink jet print entitled "Blue." Her art teacher is Sue Wright.

Second place went to Ivette Henriquez, a junior also at Metro Tech. Her piece also was an ink jet print, which was entitled "Sedona Waters." Third place was awarded to Juan Fernando Marceleno, a senior at Trevor G. Browne High School, for his graphite drawing entitled "Smile."

Ten students received Honorable Mention for their pieces: Alejandra Silis of Trevor Browne; and Felipe Ramirez, Rafael Rosales, Rosario Cota, Martha Paredes, Nancy Naranjo, Felix Ortega, Leticia Acuña, Yolanda Reyes, and Iza Islas of Metro Tech.

The students were recognized locally by Congressman Pastor's Office at a brief ceremony Monday at the Art Institute of Phoenix.

As the first place winner of the Fourth Congressional District's Art Competition, Mayra's piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year and she will be flown with a guardian courtesy of Southwest Airlines to Washington, D.C., to be recognized at the "An Artistic Discovery" ceremony on Capitol Hill, which will be held in June. In addition to the flights donated by Southwest Airlines, Mayra received $1,200 to cover lodging and other expenses while in Washington. The Art Institute of Phoenix also donated a $15,000 tuition scholarship to Mayra.

Ivette received a $250 cash award as the second place winner, and Juan received a $100 cash award as the third place winner. The cash awards were donated by Arizona Public Service, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., and Salt River Project. They also donated $20 movie gift cards to each student who received Honorable Mention.

"The talent exhibited by the young people of our district never seizes to amaze me," Pastor said. "I am extremely proud of the winners and I'm especially thankful to the teachers and parents who have encouraged their students to pursue their artistic talents. I'm also grateful to the artists who helped judge the competition and the organizations which donated airfare, hotel expenses and scholarship to help recognize our winners."

This is the 18th year Pastor has hosted the art competition for students residing or attending a high school in his district. A winning entry in each congressional district is exhibited in a corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol, where thousands of visitors will see it, along with winning entries from throughout the country.

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