WASHINGTON— Three Apollo High School students took the top prizes in U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor’s Congressional Art Competition, including senior Adrienne Ontiveros, of Glendale, who placed first with her acrylic painting.

Ontiveros’ piece, entitled “Toe 2 Toe,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year and she will be flown with a guardian to Washington in June to be recognized at the “An Artistic Discovery” event on Capitol Hill. In addition to the airline tickets, Ontiveros received $1,200 to cover lodging and other expenses while in Washington. The Art Institute of Phoenix also awarded her with a $10,000 scholarship.

Ed Pastor greets first place art winner Adrienne Ontiveros and her family

Alexis Fajardo, of Phoenix, a junior at Apollo, placed second with her white charcoal drawing entitled “The Language of Love,” and received $200 and a scholarship to attend a week of classes at The Art Institute of Phoenix.

Sophomore Catarino Carrasco, of Glendale, placed third and received $100 and a similar scholarship to attend a week of classes at The Art Institute. The Apollo High School art teacher is Barbara Dahlstedt.

Eleven students received Honorable Mention for their pieces: Catarino Carrasco, Alexis Fajardo and Nasea Valdez of Apollo High School; Flor Cardenas of Central High School; Leticia Acuña, Rodney Dillan, Michelle Gonzalez, Nancy Naranjo, Grisselda Valerio and Victoria Villalobos of Metro Tech High School; and Clarissa Sanchez of Trevor Browne High School.

The students were recognized locally Thursday by Congressman Ed Pastor during a brief ceremony at the Art Institute of Phoenix, 2233 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix.

“These young students are talented beyond their years,” Pastor said about the winners. “I’m proud to see Ms. Ontiveros’ work hanging in the nation’s Capitol as a representation of the artistic abilities in our district.”

Pastor expressed his gratitude to the parents and art teachers who have encouraged their students to pursue their talents. He also thanked the judges who selected the winners from dozens of entries, and the sponsors for providing the awards and helping with expenses for Ontiveros to travel to Washington with a guardian. The sponsors included The Art Institute of Phoenix, Southwest Airlines, Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc., Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, HM Host, Victoria Foundation and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

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Released on March 29, 2011

Media Contact: Maura Saavedra Cordova, 602-252-2653