Two Dover High students honored by Congressman Bob Gibbs at surprise ceremony

Every year members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent amongst high school students. One winner is selected from each congressional district to hang their artwork in the U.S. Capitol for one year. A runner-up is also chosen to hang their art in the office of the congressman representing their district. Since the Congressional Art Competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the competition.

This year’s winner is Tricia Matlick, a Dover High School senior. The runner-up is Marco Morales, a sophomore at Dover.

The students were treated to a surprise visit from Congressman Bob Gibbs, who serves the 18th Congressional District, on Wednesday, May 18. Told only to expect to be asked to leave class briefly, the students had no idea they had been chosen as the winners for the Congressional Art Competition, let alone that they would be meeting Congressman Gibbs in the lobby.

Gibbs presented each student with a certificate and congratulated them, as art teachers Susie Hawk, Jodi Hupp and Keri Stratton beamed with pride. Matlick’s mother, Lisa Scalambrino, and grandparents, Carl and Virginia Loose, were also present at the midmorning ceremony.

“I applaud all the young artists who participated and I look forward to showcasing the winning piece from the 18th District in my office and, in winner Tricia Matlick’s case, the U.S. Capitol for the next year,” said Gibbs. “I am particularly grateful to their parents, teachers and schools for giving these outstanding young people the chance to explore and develop their artistic interests.”

“I have always liked art, and photography especially. I used a point and shoot camera for this piece. I’m really surprised at this,” said Matlick. Her photograph depicts her best friend, seated on a bridge. The same photograph was selected for the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition held in Columbus.

“I love art! My whole life I have loved art. It’s what I do to relax, to think,” said Morales. “I haven’t really considered a career in art, you know, I have to be realistic. But you never know.” His piece is a print depicting an abstract face.

“It’s exciting,” said Gibbs. “Art, music and the humanities stimulate innovativeness and we need more of that.”

The Congressional Art Competition was judged by a select panel from The Art Academy of Cincinnati.

The congressman was assisted by Susan Brinker of Zanesville, the 18th Congressional District director.

In addition to her certificate and the honor of having her art hang in the U.S. Capitol, Matlick will also receive two complimentary airfare tickets from Southwest Airlines so she and her mother can attend the official Congressional Art Competition ceremony in Washington, D.C. June 22.