WASHINGTON – On May 2, U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.) held a reception in Perryville, Mo., to recognize high school students from Missouri’s 8th Congressional District who made it to the final round of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. At the event, Smith announced that Miah Bressie, a senior at Houston High School, took home first place for her piece, “Mistique”.
“The Congressional Art Competition is a great annual tradition where we highlight the incredible young artists of southeast and south-central Missouri,” said Smith. “I was so impressed by the artistic ability of the students who submitted artwork this year. I’m proud to say that choosing the winners was a very difficult task.”
Smith continued, “Congratulations to Miah Bressie of Houston High School for earning first place with her piece, ‘Mistique’. Her artwork will be proudly displayed in the Capitol for members of Congress and the hundreds of tourists from across the country who visit this historic building every day.”
As the winner of the Congressional Art Competition, Bressie was given two plane tickets to Washington, D.C., so she can view her work on display in the U.S. Capitol building.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide art competition to recognize artistic talent in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, millions of visitors have enjoyed more than 10,000 winning pieces on display in the U.S. Capitol. The winners are recognized within the district, as well as at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. This competition is a way to showcase the vast talent that exists in the 8th Congressional District while allowing students to express themselves creatively.
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U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.) and first place winner Miah Bressie pose for a photo at the Congressional Art Competition Winners’ Reception in Perryville, Mo. on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
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Miah Bressie won first place for her submission, “Mistique”.
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A collage of the 20 pieces that made it the final round of the competition.
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Following is a list of the Congressional Art Competition finalists from Missouri’s 8th Congressional District:
- Emily Ritter – West Plains High School
- Makayla Arnold – Festus High School
- Khyla Burch – Mountain Grove High School
- Haley Bartlett – Salem High School
- Madalyn Isabelle Jarrett – Mountain Grove High School
- Lilly Hines – Mountain Grove High School
- Pheobe Sperry – Rolla High School
- Alyssa Watson – Mountain Grove High School
- Natasha Slavik – Dora High School
- Kristen Ely – Houston High School
- Miah Bressie – Houston High School
- Kate Northern – Farmington High School
- Kinsey Owen – Salem High School
- Aurora Melton – Salem High School
- Rylee Coulter – Salem High School
- Bayleigh Whitaker – Salem High School
- Charlotte Fowler – Houston High School