South Brunswick High School Student Takes Top Prize in Congressional Art Competition

A South Brunswick High School student won the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) announced on Friday.

Jodi Hansen’s “Waiting for Tea” captured the top prize at this year’s competition. It will be displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol for the next year, and other top finishers will be displayed in Holt’s offices in New Jersey and in Washington, D.C.

Since 1982, the annual Congressional Art Competition has showcased exceptional art pieces by high school students from many of the nation's 435 Congressional Districts.  U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) recently held his 2014 art competition, and 141 students from across Central New Jersey entered.

“The arts and humanities play a crucial role in our society:  they enhance our creativity, promote education, and provide New Jerseyans with the opportunity to view works of beauty and personal expression,” Holt said.  “I congratulate Jodi and all of the winners in this year's Congressional Art Competition.  Their work demonstrates great creativity, talent, and originality, and I am honored to showcase their efforts."

A full list of winners follows below.

Overall (Best in Show)

1st Place: “Waiting for Tea” by Jodi Hansen from South Brunswick High School

Teacher: Betty Ann Snediker

2nd Place: “Slept in Bed” by Sherry Wong from South Brunswick High School

Teacher: Dianne Belnay

3rd Place: “Aging Man” by Sammir Condezo from Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies

Teacher: Paola Rached

Medium: Painting

1st Place: “Lying on the Sofa” by Tandia McLaren from Lawrence High School

Teacher: Khaliah Sabree

2nd Place: “They Give Us Their Service, We Give Them Our Blessing” by Kearnie Lin from East Brunswick High School

Teacher: Matthew McCarthy

3rd Place: “Still Leaning on Each Other” by Ohyoon Kwon from Gemma Art Foundation

Teacher: Anna Neis

Medium: Drawing

1st Place: “Waiting for Tea” by Jodi Hansen from South Brunswick High School

Teacher: Betty Ann Snediker

2nd Place: “Slept in Bed” by Sherry Wong from South Brunswick High School

Teacher: Dianne Belnay

3rd Place: “Aging Man” by Sammir Condezo from Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies

Teacher: Paola Rached

Medium: Collage

1st Place: “Paper Portrait” by Sabrina Hecht from South Brunswick High School

Teacher: Betty Ann Snediker

2nd Place: “Beneath the Surface” by Juhee Thakkar from South Brunswick High School

Teacher: Katie McMillan

3rd Place (Tie): “Torn” by Alex Krutko from East Brunswick High School
Teacher: Annagrace Kasten

3rd Place (Tie): “The Joseph” by Elizabeth Mair-Pratt from West Windsor Plainsboro High School North

Teacher: Joyce Haut

Medium: Print

1st Place: “Organized Chaos” by Ana Yershoya from West Windsor Plainsboro High School South

Teacher: Jane Proulx

2nd Place: “Wild Concrete” by Victoria Nagy from West Windsor Plainsboro High School North

Teacher: Joyce Haut

3rd Place: “Rhythm” by Mariah Kreutter from West Windsor Plainsboro High School South

Teacher: Jane Proulx

Medium: Mixed Media

1st Place: “Marionette” by Casey Gladwell from Lawrence High School

Teacher: Eric Downs

2nd Place: “The Cities of God” by Erica Moon from West Windsor Plainsboro High School South

Teacher: Nathan Leventhal

3rd Place: “Dream Girl” by Ramya Rajagopal from West Windsor Plainsboro High School South

Teacher: Sandy Bonasera

Medium: Computer-generated art

1st Place: “Goodbye - Blondie” by Victoria Harinxma-Jenkins from the Hun School of Princeton

Teacher: Stacy Collingham

2nd Place: “Childish Gambino” by Antoinette Gayo from East Brunswick High School

Teacher: Jeff Novak

3rd Place: “G Series” by Maurice Billingsley from Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies

Teacher: Laura Hoyos

Medium: Photography

1st Place: “Formalities” by Charles Sproul from the Pennington School

Teacher: Mark Ross

2nd Place: “Untitled” by Carolyne Habib from East Brunswick High School

Teacher: Meghan Giacobello

3rd Place: “Perish” by Tori Kelner from East Brunswick High School

Teacher: Meghan Giacobello.