High School Students Named Top Finishers In Congressional Contest

CASTRO VALLEY, CA – Three high school students from California's 15th Congressional District were chosen as the top three finishers in the annual Congressional art contest that is sponsored each year by Congressman Eric Swalwell's office in Castro Valley.

Anica Xie’s entry, entitled, “Black Lives Matter” was selected out of 54 entries throughout California’s 15th Congressional District and was chosen as the top finisher by a panel of judges Swalwell’s office announced on Monday. Xie is a student at Amador Valley in Pleasanton.

Xie’s entry will be sent to Washington, DC, and will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year. Emily Chao, who also attends Amador Valley, finished third and her entry, “Memories of Perseverance” will be displayed in Swalwell’s office.

Hannah McCutcheon, who attends Dougherty High School in San Ramon, placed second with her entry, “Discovering Your Identity.” Like Chao, McCutcheon's artwork will also be displayed in Swalwell's office.

"Anica’s piece perfectly captures the pain and progress of the Black Lives Matter movement and I am thrilled to have it represent our district in the halls of Congress,” Swalwell said in a news release. “Time and time again I am blown away by the artistic talent of the high school students in our district and this year’s competition was no exception. I want to congratulate Anica on this prestigious honor and look forward to displaying the other winning pieces in my district office.”

Entries were reviewed by a panel of local judges, including Winda Shimizu, executive director of the Hayward Arts Council, Bonnie Stipe, lead painting instructor at Chabot College, and Anne Giancola, the visual arts manager at Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center.