By Nicole Rosenthal, Patch Staff

Four Red Bank Regional High School students were recently honored in a congressional competition judging their recent artistic achievements.

The winners were announced earlier this month by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4), the sponsor of the annual high school contest in the Fourth Congressional District for the past 20 years. The contest was held as part of a national competition organized by the Congressional Institute to recognize exceptional young artists in each district.

The four Red Bank Regional High School students awarded were Kendall Walsh, Emily Dee, Kathryn Johnson and Sophia Giordano. While each winner will be mailed a ribbon and award certificate, all students who entered the contest will receive a congressional certificate in recognition of their work.

"We had one of the highest number of entries ever in our second virtual art competition of high school artists in the Fourth Congressional District, who worked hard to create some amazing artwork," Smith said in a statement. "Congratulations to best-in-show winner, Samantha Nemergut, and to the competition's runners up and all the students who entered their work to make this year's show such as[a] success, including their talented art instructors. We are thankful for their participation and for sharing their artistic gifts."

Here is the full list of winners from the Fourth Congressional District:

• Best In Show: "Within the Shadows," in charcoal and white charcoal, by Samantha Nemergut, Grade 11, Wall High School
• First Place Runner-Up: "Sonder," in acrylic paint by Kendall Walsh, Grade 12, of Red Bank Regional High School
• Second Place Runner-up- "City Reflection," in oil paint, by Emily Dee, of Red Bank Regional High School
• Third Place Runner-Up: "Side Street in Neon," in digital media, by Kathryn Johnson, of Red Bank Regional High School
• Honorable Mention: "The Colors of Water," digital photograph, by Sophia Giordano, Grade 12 of Red Bank Regional High School
• Honorable Mention: "Rollercoaster of Life," in charcoal, by Evelyn Kunycky, Grade 10 of Wall High School
• Honorable Mention: "Blood Oranges," in watercolor, by Averi Noel, Grade 10, of Wall High School

Click here to view a gallery of all 86 entries.

This article was originally posted on Wed., June 23, 2021 at 2:08 pm ET and can be found at:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/redbank/red-bank-regional-students-honored-congressional-art-contest