Sun Valley Senior Wins Grand Prize at Congressional Art Competition

Sun Valley senior Erin Griffis has been named the Grand Prize Winner for Pennsylvania’s 5th District in the Congressional Art Competition, hosted by U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon’s office.

Erin’s photograph, “Tears of the Flag,” created in recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary, will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year, placing her work among the top student artworks in the nation.

Created in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition is a bipartisan national program sponsored annually by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Congressional Institute. The program is designed to recognize and encourage artistic talent among high school students, with winning pieces exhibited in the U.S. Capitol.

Sun Valley also had a standout year overall, earning recognition as the “most winningest” school in the competition, with multiple students receiving awards across categories:

• Zakiyah Sanyeneh - 1st Place, Mixed Media
• Paris Wing - 1st Place, Painting
• Melissa Okine - Staff Selection Award (work displayed in Rep. Scanlon’s district office)
• Nicole Harvey - Selected entry
• Emily Simcox - Selected entry

Zakiyah’s award marks her second recognition in this competition, highlighting continued excellence across Sun Valley’s visual arts program. Erin’s achievement also reflects the strength of the photography program under the direction of Ms. Colleen McCarthy.

In addition to their awards, participating students had the opportunity to meet with Rep. Scanlon and discuss their artwork, gaining valuable insight and feedback on their creative work.