Colorado Springs, CO - Congressman Lamborn hosted students, parents, and educators from the 5th Congressional District to celebrate the  local talent of artists in during the Congressional Art Competition  Award ceremony. The event was held at the Colorado Springs Airport and featured more than 115 entries from students across 14 high schools.

Congressman Lamborn issued the following statement:

"The Congressional Art Competition encourages and recognizes the  creativity of high school-aged students across the nation. This special event allows Members of Congress to formally recognize the talents and artistic ability of students and teachers  throughout our districts. I am so pleased to see the  unique talent we have here in Colorado's 5th Congressional District. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated. I look forward to seeing the District's 'Best of Show' displayed along with the other national winners in Washington, D.C."

This year's show is displayed online and was on display for three weeks at the Colorado Springs Airport.

Congressman Doug Lamborn and the 2022 'Best of Show' winner, Leya Kilpatrick of The Vaguard School.

The 'Best of Show' winner receives scholarship opportunities and other great prizes. Additionally, the 'Best of Show' winner receives two round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines to attend the official celebration in Washington, D.C. High school-aged students in the district are encouraged to enter the annual competition, and the winner's artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

The winners of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition in Colorado's 5th Congressional District are as follows:

People’s Choice Award
Sienna Mandile of CIVA Charter High School
Title: Eye of the Tiger 
Teacher: Kyle Hills

Best in Keeping with the Theme 
“Past, Present, and Future of Colorado”
Amarie Paxton of James Irwin Charter High School
Title: The Colorado Sky
Teacher: Suzan Mitchell

Best of Show
Leya Kilpatrick of The Vanguard School
Title: Through the Lens of a Chemist 
Teacher: Greg Custer

Computer Generated Art

1st Place: Namoi Patterson of Pine Creek High School

2nd Place: Bailey Ford of Fountain-Fort Carson High School

3rd Place: Amelia Menozzi of Palmer High School

Meritorious: Amanda Arant of Pine Creek High School 

Paintings

1st Place: Elisa Wilson of The Vanguard School

2nd Place: Abigail Stephens of Pine Creek High School

3rd Place: Esther Horvath of Palmer High School

Meritorious: Eden Peters of Thrive Homeschool Academy 

Photography

1st Place: Scott Watembach of Fountain-Fort Carson High School

2nd Place: Eduardo Duarte of Palmer High School

3rd Place ~ Mauricio Cortes-Arango ~ Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Meritorious: Annie Jenson of Palmer Ridge High School

Drawings

1st Place: Amelia Colson of The Vanguard School

2nd Place: Addison Ordner of Pine Creek High School

3rd Place: Lilliana Snyder of The Vanguard School

Meritorious: Catherine Kniffin of The Classical Academy 

Prints

1st Place: Sky Wykstra of Fountain-Fort Carson High School

2nd Place: Carsyn Cormaney of The Classical Academy

3rd Place: Tylecia McDaniel of Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Meritorious: Ella Parafiniuk of The Classical Academy

Mixed Media

1st Place: Hannah Gott of The Classical Academy

2nd Place: Lauren Hasenbalg of Fountain-Fort Carson High School

3rd Place: Rose Ortiz of Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Meritorious: Sydney Black: Palmer High School  

Collages

1st Place: Molly Burton of Pine Creek High School

2nd Place: Paisley Hoy of Cheyenne Mountain High School

3rd Place: Lia Parks of Cheyenne Mountain High School

The Congressional Art Competition provides Members of Congress the opportunity to showcase the creative talents of high school students in their district.

Special thanks to the Colorado Springs Airport for their assistance and dedication to making this annual event a successful one.