Two Mount Pleasant High School art students placed in the TX01 District Congressional Art Contest on Sunday, December 7 at The Longview Museum of Fine Arts. Of the 28 entries from 16 schools, only five received recognition, two of those belonging to MPHS students. Senior Dayanara Pulquero placed 2nd with her piece, Calm Envy, which will be on display in Congressman Nathaniel Moran’s office for the next year. And senior Jaydy Martinez placed 3rd with her piece, Color Jaydy in Stipple.

The Congressional Art Contest, now in its 44th year, is a nationwide art competition for high school students. To enter, students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Mount Pleasant is in the 1st Congressional District of Texas, represented by Congressman Nathaniel Moran. Congressman Moran’s district encompasses 17 counties in the northeast corner of the state running along the border between Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The 1st place pieces from each district are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon Tunnel. The tunnel is the most highly traveled access point between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Capitol. Every day, members of Congress, distinguished visitors, and tens of thousands of tourists – from the United States and abroad – walk through the tunnel and admire the artwork.

Both Martinez and Pulquero have been students in the MPISD art program for five years. Martinez is the daughter of Dora Paredes and Pulquero is the daughter of Pedro Pulquero and Mercedes Rojo Otero. They are both students of MPHS art instructor, Laura Kirkland.

Photos:

1: (L to R) Dayanara Pulquero with her piece, Calm Envy, MPHS art instructor Laura Kirkland, Jaydy Martinez with her piece, Color Jaydy in Stipple

2: (L to R) Representative Nathaniel Moran, Jaydy Martinez, Dora Paredes, MPHS art instructor Laura Kirkland

3: (L to R) Representative Nathaniel Moran, Dayanara Pulquero, MPHS art instructor Laura Kirkland