Mount Pleasant High School Class of 2025 graduate, Josue Vega, recently traveled to Washington D.C. for the unveiling of his art piece at the United States Capitol. Vega won the TX01 District Congressional Art Contest on Sunday, December 8 at The Longview Museum of Fine Arts. He was awarded two Southwest Airline tickets for himself and a guest to fly to Washington D.C. for the unveiling and a gift card for $200 for art supplies, donated by Eastman Chemicals and Eastman Credit Union.

Vega’s piece, The Boys, a tribute to Vega’s uncles when they were younger, is now on display for a 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.

The Congressional Art Contest, now in its 43rd 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.

Photo:

Josue: (L to R) Josue Vega standing next to The Boys now on display at the U.S. Capitol in the Cannon Tunnel