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The North Carolina Estuarium last Friday hosted a reception for the Third District Congressional Art Competition, which is part of a nationwide event sponsored by the Congressional Institute.

As part of the competition, high school students from around the country submit artwork to be judged by a panel of artists from their respective district. Winners are recognized at receptions in their districts, and they are also recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington D.C.

Around 20 students from 12 schools submitted art for the Third District competition. That list of schools includes Northside High School and Pungo Christian Academy.

Jordan Riggs of Arendell Parrott Academy took first place for her entry, “COVID Dancer.” Kailee Grubbs of South Central High School took second place for her entry, “Of Wood and Circuits.” Arendell Parrott Academy’s Annastasia Hnatov earned third-place honors with her piece, “Goodbye Friends.” Lillian Britt, a Jacksonville High student, earned an honorable mention award for “Self Portrait Unmasked.”

Rep. Greg Murphy was on hand to help distribute the awards and congratulate the contest participants.

“Our students from the Third District have done a fantastic job of showcasing their great talent, and I look forward to boasting about that in Washington D.C.,” Murphy said.

“There were so many challenges in the past year,” he added. “So many were kept inside, and so many students had a hard year. There are so many factors — not only educationally, but also socially.  So being able to express themselves in the medium of art is a fantastic way for these kids to get back a sense of normalcy.”