SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Rep. Aguilar announced that San Bernardino High School student Jannah Parafina is the winner of this year’s California 31^st Congressional District Congressional Art Competition for her painting, “A Night Out.”

Los Osos High School student Candy Qu received second place for her work, “Bubbles of Opportunity” and Rialto High School student Melissa Cordova Cendejas received third place for her work, “Carmen.” The first place winner’s artwork will be displayed in the US Capitol building in Washington, DC for one year, and the second and third place winners will have their work displayed in the Garcia Center for the Arts in San Bernardino.

“Every year, I am struck by how creative and talented students in the Inland Empire are,” said Rep. Aguilar. “This year’s submissions were no different. They all beautifully captured our community, and I am very proud to be able to showcase this original artwork and talents from home with my colleagues in the US Capitol.”

“My inspiration was the California theatre of performing art located near the Regal theater,” said Jannah Parafina. I used this as inspiration after only recently ushering in the same theater for the first time. Winning or not, I wanted to show some history of San Bernardino through my painting and hoped that some people learned something new. I am thankful for the prize and the chance I will get to try with new supplies.”

2022 Congressional Art Competition Winners:

Rep. Aguilar serves as the Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

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