×

Central student artist receives Congressional recognition

Reagan Bush (third from left), a senior at Central High School, was selected as a winner in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition and was chosen as the winner to represent the 13th District.

MARTINSBURG — Young artists everywhere aspire to have their work enjoyed and admired by others.

For one local high school student, this became a reality on a national level.

Reagan Bush, a senior at Central High School, was selected as a winner in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition and was chosen as the winner to represent the 13th District.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 as a way for congressmen to encourage and recognize young artists across the nation. Over the years, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

This year’s annual contest concluded in the spring.

Bush decided to enter the competition after she was approached by her art teacher at Central, Heather Trimeloni, who asked her if she wanted to create a piece for the competition to represent the school.

“Reagan is an exceptional art student who demonstrates a strong work ethic and a commitment to high artistic achievement,” Trimeloni said. “She consistently goes above and beyond expectations, and I am proud of her latest achievement.”

When she learned that her piece was selected as the winner, Bush was shocked.

“It’s an honor,” she said. “I was very glad to receive the letter, and I’m still a little in awe and shock that I was selected as the winner from our district.”

Bush’s piece is a chalk pastel drawing of the Tower of Voices at the Flight 93 Memorial at sunset. Bush’s movitation came from her father Wayne’s connection to the Flight 93 scene, which sparked an interest in the history behind the memorial.

“What inspired me was my father,” Bush said. “He was at the Flight 93 crash scene — he was with the state police at the time. Overall, Flight 93 is a story of true courage to come out of a terrible event, and I’ve always found it interesting.”

Bush’s winning piece is titled “Field of Honor.”

It will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year alongside the other winning pieces from each congressional district.

“Reagan’s art talent is special, as is the piece she did for the Congressional Art Competition,” Central High Principal Stephanie Thompson said. “She is to be commended for the hard work and effort she puts forth in her classes. Reagan represents Central High School very well, and we are extremely proud of her.”

Bush was invited to visit the Capitol, where she and her parents, Wayne and Nancy, got to meet U.S. Rep. John Joyce, who represents the 13th District.

“It was a great privilege to welcome Reagan and her parents to the Capitol,” Joyce said in a press release. “We received many fantastic entries to the competition this year, and each piece was breathtaking and showed the artistic talent that is present in the 13th District. Reagan’s artwork will be seen by thousands of visitors who travel to Washington during the next year, and I am incredibly proud of her accomplishment.”

Bush was honored to experience the Capitol and meet Joyce, and she enjoyed seeing the pieces created by the other young artists across the United States.

“It was a very interesting experience,” she said. “I got to sit and talk with Congressman Joyce and take a tour of the Capitol. It’s such a beautiful building, and it was great to be there and to see the art of the other individuals who were chosen as winners.”

For Bush, art is a hobby that she finds “therapeutic and relaxing.”

She also enjoys singing in the school choir and playing tennis. After graduating from high school in 2020, she plans to pursue a career as a veterinary technician or environmental scientist.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today