AURORA | U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, Aurora, last week announced the winners of the 6th Congressional District 2017 Congressional Art Competition.

Rae Stokes, a sophomore at Grandview High School in Aurora, part of the Cherry Creek School District, was named overall winner, according to a news release from Daniel Bucheli, Coffman’s spokesman.

Each congressional district’s art competition is open to high school students who live in that district.

The winning entries from each Congressional district go on display for a year in the U.S. Capitol. Each district’s winner also receives two free round-trip airline tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the opening of the display of that year’s art works. Rae Stokes’ entry, “The Intricacy of Life,” will be a part of that display. The art display is located in a section of the Capitol that is open to public viewing, so not only members of Congress and staff but also visitors from all over the nation can get a view.

“Every year, I am amazed by the artistic talent exhibited by district’s high school student” Coffman said. “The display in the Capitol is really remarkable, and thousands of people from across the country and around the world will get enjoy this artwork. I couldn’t be more proud of Rae’s work representing the 6th District of Colorado.”

For this art competition, the winners were selected by two professional artists who volunteered to evaluate the 34 student submissions. A second- and third-place finisher were also recognized, as well as an honorable mention, who received the Mike Coffman Award as the congressman’s personal favorite.

Winners:
• First place: Rae Stokes, Grandview High School, 10th Grade, ‘The Intricacy of Life”
• Second place: Kayla Rondinelli, Cherry Creek High School, 12th Grade, “The Concrete Forest”
• Third place: Johan Ramirez. Aurora Central High School, 12th Grade, “The Diverse CO Soul”
· Mike Coffman Award: Carissa Tan, Rock Canyon High School, 10th Grade, “Grandma”

To see pictures and more entries of this year’s Art Competition, click here.

Started in 1982 by the U.S. House of Representatives, the annual competition highlights high school students’ artistic works from across the country. According to the Congressional Institute, more than 650,000 high school students have participated since the competition’s inaugural year.