Eight students from FC entered their art pieces in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition at the beginning of April and two received second and third place. Junior Stefi Peck and sophomore Elora Hargis came out on top in the art show with Hargis snatching second place and Peck with third.

Art and Home Economics teacher Sharon Scharf took the pieces to congressman Jeff Denham who asked for the works to be submitted in the competition. Having won second and third place, Hargis and Peck’s art will be put up in the congressman’s office for a year.

Peck was excited to hear that she had won with her drawing called “Wish,” which was of a young girl blowing a dandelion into the wind. The drawing consists of three panels where the dandelion seeds are being blown further and further throughout the sections.

“I was really surprised to hear that I won third place,” Peck said. “When my drawing was entered in the competition I didn’t think anything of it. It feels great to be recognized for my art, but right now it’s just a hobby. The drawing just sort of popped in my head one day and I decided to draw it the night before.”

Scharf sent art pieces from eight different students to the art show and was pleased to find out that two of them had placed for second and third. Scharf feels proud seeing her students excel in an activity they love.

“I was ecstatic to hear that two of my students won,” Scharf said. “I actually found out through the students because they received an email but I didn’t. However, it felt very rewarding, even for me, to see that their art work was being recognized in this art show and hopefully many more to come.”

Second place winner of the competition, Hargis, greatly appreciated the recognition of her art. Due to the fact that Hargis entered art pieces in another competition previous to this one but was not acknowledged for these works, she did not believe this one would be any different.

“It was great hearing that I had one second place,” Hargis said. “Having not been recognized in another art show, this was a huge surprise to me. My piece was inspired by one of my favorite artists Jack Johnson’s album cover. I love being able to make the art I want and how I want and being able to be acknowledged for it.”

In other art news:

Freshman Shannon Martens earned a Best of Show award from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Art Festival which was held at Corssroads Christian School in Morgan Hill, California, April 19.

Each school was required to take three judges to help judge other schools. Art teacher Sharon Scharf, along with herself, brought Pam Powell and Wanda Carey to help judge this event. Sophomore Jenna Weimer, Garret Childs, ’13, and Geehyun Park also won Best of Show along with Martens.

For more news, read the April 23 article Student body sports matching attire for Sadie Hawkins .