Date:  April 11, 2003
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

Beth Pacentrilli, a student at Osbourn Park High School, won the “Best of Show” ribbon in the Tenth Congressional District Art Show for a charcoal drawing of the inside hinge to her car door.

Beth’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building in an area dedicated to the artistic talents of today’s youth for a year.  In June at an awards ceremony honoring all of the other Congressional winners from across the nation, she will receive a flag that was flown over the Capitol and a $500 scholarship from a local business.  Vicki Burns, Beth’s art teacher at Osbourn Park, helped develop her talents.

The art competition is sponsored by Congressman Frank Wolf and is open to all high school students residing in the Tenth Congressional District.  According to Janelle White, co-chairman of the art show, the nationwide competition was launched in 1982 by the U.S. House of Representatives to encourage the growth and development of art.  More than 500,000 high school students participate nationwide. 

Fourteen schools and over 200 students participated and displayed artwork.  Beth also won a “Second Place” ribbon for her oil painting of a winter lake scene.  Also from Osbourn Park, Jason Kane received first place in the painting category for a Cubistic self-portrait created with tempera paint and Katie Furlong placed first in print making for a drypoint print she created of Saint Paul’s Cathedral in New York City.  Both students will receive a $100.00 check for these awards. 

Receiving second place awards were Amanda Kershner in drawing for a charcoal self-portrait and Jenna Hunt in computer graphics for an altered image of a bowling alley.  Honorable mention winners include Chris Muth, charcoal drawing; Kelly Goggins, pastel drawing; Jenn Caruso, charcoal drawing; Aaron Smith, watercolor painting; Beth Pcentrilli, oils; and Amanda Kershner in drypoint printmaking.

Beth Pacentrilli and Stephanie Smith also were awarded the top scholarships of $1,000 each from the Montclair Art Scholarship Show to use towards their art education at the college of their choice.  The artists have not decided which school they will be attending this fall.