Ten high school art students from the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania were honored at the Baum School of Art during a reception for the 2019 “An Artistic Discovery Congressional High School Art Competition and Exhibition.”

Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-15th) presented the national commendations and Urban Affairs Liaison Alta Mercado from the office of State Senator Patrick M. Browne (R-16th) handed out state commendations.

Fern Roopchand from Wild’s office assisted with the awards ceremony.

“The Baum School of Art has been hosting this exhibition for 36 years,“ said Director of Exhibitions and Collections Kris Kotsch as she emceed the event.

Baum School of Art Executive Director Shannon Fugate provided each honoree with a Baum School of Art scholarship for one complimentary course.

Top honors went to Lane Steigerwalt of Nazareth Area High School. Steigerwalt’s digital photograph, “Judgement in Binding,” will be professionally framed, then included with the works of other first-place winners from each Congressional district in a year-long exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel, Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

Second-place winners included Corinne Deichmeister, Whitehall High School; Nayoung Im, Saucon Valley High School, and Yasmine Beyruti and Kim Vu, both Dieruff High School.

Third-place winners were Mackenzie McGovern, Liberty High School; Mia Lloyd, Saucon Valley High School; Richele Gallagher, Parkland High School, and Cindy Luu and Ian Butz, both William Allen High School.

Seventy teen artists from the 15th Congressional District participated in the annual competition. Their artwork was exhibited in Baum’s David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries.

Janet and Atty. Malcolm Gross were the presenting sponsors.