Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > April > 21
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Area students do well in Congressional Art Competition
This is a press release from Speaker of the House John Boehner’s office about a Lakota East student winning the 8th Congressional District Art Competition.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., Thursday, April 21, announced Rachel Leathers, a senior at Miami Valley Career Technology Center, as the grand prize winner of the 2011 8th District art competition.
“Our judges had a very difficult decision to make with the number of gifted high school artists participating in this year’s competition,” said Boehner. “Congratulations to Rachel and all of the contestants for their hard work and amazing talents.”
Rachel’s white color pencil and graphite piece was selected for top honors after judges reviewed 156 entries submitted by 116 students from 22 area high schools. Her piece will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year along with other winners from around the country.
In addition, Benjamin Armour, a sophomore at Lakota East High School, was selected as the first place winner for his photograph, “Ash Cave.” His piece will hang in the Office of The Speaker.
Second- and third-place and several honorable mention pieces will hang in Boehner’s West Chester and Troy offices where they may be viewed by the public.
Other winners include:
2nd Place - Other Media: Jacquelyn Wagner, a junior at Miami Valley Career Technology Center, for her graphite piece, “Harmony.”
2nd Place - Photography: Nancy Chen, a senior at Franklin Monroe High School, for her abstract photo, “Iron Stone Whisper.”
3rd Place - Other Media: Thu Do, a junior at Lakota West High School, for his self portrait, “Ninja”
3rd Place - Photography: Kyla Roberts, a junior at Options Academy of the Arts, for her digital photo, “Me and My Rainbow Socks - Self”
Honorable Mention: Taylor Bellomy, Miami Valley Career Technology Center; Ryan Birr, Carroll High School; Gayle Cobb, Middletown Christian School; Elizabeth Fair, Troy High School; Aisha Hull, Troy High School; Ema Koch, Lakota West High School; Bridget Mescher, Miami Valley Career Technology Center; Joshua Mossman, Fairfield High School; Madison Perry, Twin Valley South High School; Megan Peters, Franklin Monroe High School; Michelle Spencer, Troy High School; Carissa Wilson, Dayton Christian School.
The Congressional Art Competition, “An Artistic Discovery,” aims to showcase the artistic talents of 8th District high school students. The competition was open to students in grades nine through 12, who are residents of the 8th Congressional District.
All artwork will remain on display at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center in Troy, Ohio, until Tuesday, April 26.
Thoughts?
Community office hours
I am going to start a new practice to be more accessible to the readers of the Hamilton JournalNews and the Middletown Journal.
Beginning in May, I will hold community office hours. This is a chance for me to get out in the communities to be more accessible to readers — and if you have any news or story ideas, that’s a perfect time to tell me (outside of e-mailing me at mpitman@coxohio.com or calling me at 513-820-2175).
Next week I’ll announce on my blog, as well as tweet via @mdpitman and post on the JournalNews and Journal’s Facebook pages, the times and locations.
I’m going to hold the community office hours once a month, and if it is needed, I’ll make them more frequently.
Please note, the office hours will be at WiFi locations. If you have one in mind, let me know and I’ll put it on my list. For quick access, I’ve created a new blog posting category called Community Office Hours.
Thoughts?

Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at