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Amata announces winner of Congressional Art Competition 2017

Seen here is the winning piece of the Congressional Art Competition 2017 by Pacific Horizon’s Ms. Nina Vergara. [Courtesy photo]
Source: Media release, office of Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Washington, DC — Congresswoman Aumua Amata announced on Wednesday the winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition — Pacific Horizon’s Ms. Nina Vergara.

 The competition was held on April 21, 2017 at the Sadie’s By The Sea Hotel; and the winner’s piece will be displayed in the US Capitol building with other pieces of art from across the country.

Nine entries from both public and private high schools from the territory competed for the honor.

The competition was judged by three individuals with backgrounds in both Art and Education; Mrs. Rhonda Logologo-Huang, Principal of Aua Elementary School, Ms. Mandy Autagavaia, an elei designer from the Independent State of Samoa, and Mr. Sungju Myung, an educator and a student at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

First place went to Pacific Horizon’s Vergara, second place went to Ms. Fa’ae’e Laolagi of Samoana, and third place was given to Mr. Siuki Michael Lawrence Sionesini of Samoana High School.

For the second year in a row, Hawaiian Airlines offered to pay the round trip ticket for the winner to the nearest airport in the U.S. that Southwest Airlines fly out of so the winner can travel to Washington D.C. to be part of the banquet held for all the winners across the United States and its Territories. Southwest Airlines has been a sponsor for the Congressional Art Competition for years and they fly the winners to and from Washington D.C. for the celebration for free.

“I want to congratulate our winners, and all of the other participants,” said Amata. “It is always a pleasure for me, whenever I am walking over to the Capitol, to see our young people’s artwork hanging on the wall, as it always gives me a little taste of home. I am proud of the talent our students have, and want to encourage them to continue reaching for their goals,” continued Amata. “I also want to thank this year’s sponsors for their generous contributions, and without whose efforts this event would not have been able to take place,” concluded Amata.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata and her staff would like to recognize and thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous contributions to this year’s competition: Hawaiian Airlines, McDonald’s of American Samoa, Happy World, the Honorable Representative Kitara Vaiau, the Honorable Representative Sam Meleisea, Daily Store, Happy Trucking, Talofa Airways, Paramount Builders, iBC Store, Star Kist Samoa Inc., KDJ Kristopher’s Store, Lima Fesoasoani, Tutuila Store, S.O.F.I.A.S., Pago Airport Inn, Blue Sky American Samoa, KS Mart, Matai’s Restaurant, and Samoa Motors.