• Beatrice Nielsen of University High School and her winning entry, “Stools

We mentioned in this week's Skinny that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' office hosted a reception for the winners of the Congressional Art Contest at Tohono Chul Park last weekend.

The Range would like to extend congratulations to Beatrice Nielsen of University High School, whose ink-and-watercolor work, “Stools,” will be hanging in the Capitol building in D.C. for the next year.

There’s an impressive collection of runners-up in the competition, which was open to high schools throughout Congressional District 8. A total of 65 students won 74 prizes in the contest.

Some of their work remains on display in the gallery at Tohono Chul Park through mid-May, so if you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to check it out.

We caught up with CD8 community-outreach staffer Pam Simon, who oversaw the contest, at the reception. Simon, who was shot twice on Jan. 8, says she’s got a lot more energy these days. But as she looked over the entries for the contest, she missed having a chance to share them with Giffords.

Here's complete list of the winners of 8th Congressional District's 2011 Art Competition

Grand Prize: Beatrice Nielsen, University High School, Stools

Western Photography
1st Prize: Michael Aguilera, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Morning Landing
2nd Prize: Ryan Bowman, Salpointe Catholic High School, Bobcat
3rd Prize: Nathan Hancock, St. Gregory College Preparatory School, Untitled
4th Prize: Ryan Dallago, Salpointe Catholic High School, The Wild Hunt
Honorable Mention:
Cameron Capara, Salpointe Catholic High School, Head Honcho
Mackenzie Dalbec, Salpointe Catholic High School, Fire Sky
Jessie Kellerman, Sahuarita High School, At the tips of my fingers

Western Acrylic Painting:
1st Prize: Jessica Felix, Sonora Science Academy, Cactus in Bloom
2nd Prize: Travis Boswell, University High School, The Old West is Dead
3rd Prize: Samantha Sanchez, Salpointe Catholic High School, San Xavier Mission
4th Prize: Christian Zeitler, Salpointe Catholic High School, Torre Di Chiesa
Honorable Mention:
Kendall Jarrett, Pusch Ridge High School, My Backyard
Ruvini Samarasinha, University High School, These boots are made for walking

Western Pastel:
1st Prize: Rae Cooper, Salpointe Catholic High School, Saddle Up
2nd Prize: Yi Lian Klimecki, Salpointe Catholic High School, El Baile
3rd Prize: Brian Gilpin, Sonoran Science Academy, Old Friends
4th Prize: Jessica Felix, Sonoran Science Academy, Bone Study

Western General Media
1st Prize: Ryan Moore, Salpointe Catholic High School, Golden Love
2nd Prize: Cole Dunleavy, Skyview High School, Music Man
3rd Prize: Weslee Daniels, Skyview High School, Butterfly Color Study
4th Prize: Marissa Baca, Ironwood Ridge High School, Desert Sunrise
Honorable Mention:
D. Brizza Contreras, Salpointe Catholic High School, Our Young Memories
Alanna Jackson, Ironwood Ridge High School, Wolf Song
Leigh Mitchell, Ironwood Ridge High School, Contemplating

Western Charcoal:
1st Prize: Lauren De La Fuente, University High School, Monkeyboys
2nd Prize: Taylor Schlicht, Sabino High School, Friendship
3rd Prize: Caitlin Howard, University High School, Saddle
4th Prize: Marina Maskaykina, University High School, Boots
Honorable Mention:
Sinmi Okegbile, University High School, Walk the Line

Western Graphite:
1st Prize: Ryan Moore, Salpointe Catholic High School, Little King
2nd Prize: Amanda Bayham, Salpointe Catholic High School, The Duke
3rd Prize: Monique Kayley Parsons, Santa Rita High School, Secret Window
4th Prize: Sonora Lindgren, Bisbee High School, Grasshoppers Face-Off

General Photography:
1st Prize: Louie Sanders, St. Gregory College Preparatory School, Nighttime Shadows
2nd Prize: Louie Sanders, St. Gregory College Preparatory School, Chevron Lights
3rd Prize: Coco Tirambulo, St. Gregory College Preparatory School, It’s a Pie in the Sky
4th Prize: Alex Berman, St. Gregory College Preparatory School, Untitled
Honorable Mention:
Miciela Sahner, Salpointe Catholic High School, Searching for the Heard
Alex Brashear, Skyview High School, Zap
Alex Brashear, Skyview High School, Diverse Dimensions
Michael Aguilera, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, Textures of the Living

Painting:
1st Prize: Emma Klajbor, Sonoran Science Academy, Where the Spirit Soars
2nd Prize: Beatrice Nielsen, University High School, Untitled
3rd Prize: Jessaka Parmley, Buena High School, Lichenstein Concentration
4th Prize: Josiah Verdugo, Buena High School, One time I saw a cat eat pasta from a dumpster
Honorable Mention:
Danika Mellenberndt, Salpoint Catholic High School, Nosey
Johanna Crepea, Sonoran Science Academy, Portrait of my Friends
Anna Guerrero, University High School, God’s Front Porch
Danika Mellenberndt, Salpointe Catholic High School, Dress Rehearsal (added)

Pastel:
1st Prize: Jesse Kodalen, Skyview High School, Untitled
2nd Prize: Rae Cooper, Salpointe Catholic High School, Beauty is Pain
3rd Prize: Reynier Love, Skyview High School, Christmas Bow
4th Prize: Divya Gillespie, Sonoran Science Academy, Roots
Honorable Mention:
Vanessa Moore, Ironwood Ridge High School, Gates Pass Overlook
Jessica Mergenthal, Skyview High School, Ernie

Drawing/Color:
1st Prize: Ashley Touchton, Canyon del Oro High School, Warm
2nd Prize: Desiree Bruce, Buena High School, Psychedelic Daydream
3rd Prize: Danielle R. Mims, Santa Rita High School, Long Shadows
4th Prize: Emileo Rojas, Skyview High School, Distortion
Honorable Mention:
Ashley Touchton, Canyon del Oro High School, Cool

General:
1st Prize: David Hrostoski, Skyview High School, Pandamonium
2nd Prize: Emma Klajbor, Sonoran Science Academy, Skullastic
3rd Prize: Rebecca Roberts, Ironwood Ridge High School, Untitled
4th Place: Brandon Thandi, Sonoran Science Academy, Bones

Drawing/Ink:
1st Prize: Weslee Daniels, Skyview High School, Branch for Lunch
2nd Prize: Faith Beard, Skyview High School, The Butterfly
3rd Prize: Leslie Evans, Buena High School, The Cave Angler

Drawing/B&W:
1st Prize: Yajaira Bojorquez, Skyview High School, The Silence of a Servant
1st Prize: Christina Spafford, Sonoran Science Academy, Self Portrait
2nd Prize: Brandon Thandi, Sonoran Science Academy, Votroubek
3rd Prize: Marcela Garcia, Buena High School, Tranquil Night
4th Prize: Alexa Horness, Skyview High School, Thomas
Honorable Mention:
Andres Flemons, Skyview High School, Good vs. Evil