— Winning entries in the 2025 Fourth Congressional District Art Competition were announced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) at a Friday night award ceremony held at Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center (HMOUMC) in Brick Township.

At the award ceremony, Smith congratulated all of the student artists. The top artist was Marisa Amitie from Wall High School, whose Best-in-Show artwork entitled “Beloved” will be displayed at the US Capitol over the next year. Her remarkable work was done in staples and brad nails on corkboard, which depicted her dog, which died last year.

    “We celebrate 75 amazing young artists filled with vision, creativity and talent—and the impressive works of art they have worked so hard to complete,” said Smith, who sponsors the annual contest aimed at recognizing and fostering the artistic talent of high school students in the local community. “You should know that over the past month thousands of people have enjoyed your work—patients, doctors and nurses and hospital staff and visitors.”

  “Congratulations to Marisa Amitie whose outstanding artwork was selected by our expert judge panel among very talented and stiff competition” Smith said.  “Each gifted artist has shared something from themselves to enjoy and appreciate, and we are grateful for their skills and commitment to art. Each of you are truly winners.”

  Smith noted that the winning work, “Beloved” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex where it will be seen along with submissions from every participating congressional district in America by nearly a half-million people.

  All artwork submitted to the competition has been on display at Ocean University Medical Center over the past month leading up to the award ceremony. The complete list of 2025 winners selected by the panel of judges—comprised of local artists Debbie Jencsik and Jim Inzero—includes:

• Best in Show: Marisa Amitie’s “Beloved,” done in staples and brad nails in corkboard. A graduating senior of Wall High School, her art teacher is Jill Alexander;
• First Place Runner-up- Katherine Doran’s “Twilight in Ocean Grove,” done in colored pencil and acrylic on black paper. She is an 11^th grader at Wall High School. Her art teacher is Jill Alexander;
• Second Place Runner-Up- Julia Ahlfeld “Morning swim” done in oil on Masonite. An 11^th grader at Wall High School, her teacher is Jill Alexander;
• Third Place Runner-up- Chiara Byrnes’s “Natures sculptures,” done in white charcoal. A 10^th grader at Wall High School, her teacher Jill Alexander;
• Fourth Place Runner-up- Laila Abogabal’s “Hydrangea Reflections” done in oil pastel. Laila is a 9^th grader at Wall High School. Her teacher is Jill Alexander;
• Fifth Place Runner-up- Sydney Jones’  “Shadows of Thought” done in oil paint. A Middletown High School South 11^th grader, her art teachers are Brittany James and Heather Cadalzo;
• Honorable Mention: Tillie Grbic’s “Array of Color,” in oil pastel. A 9^th grader at Wall High School, her teacher is Jill Alexander;
• Honorable Mention: Xixuan Zhu’s “Self Portrait,” done in oil on canvas. A Manasquan High School 12^th grader, her teacher is Ms. Herman;
• Honorable Mention: Brooke White, “Embers of the Horizon” done in oil. A Wall High School 9^th grader, her teacher is Jill Alexander, and;
• Honorable Mention: Ian Fox’s “Cemanahuac Iyech Calli” done in acrylic. The Jackson Liberty High School 12^th grader’s teacher is Ms. Megan Bender.
  

   HMOUMC President and CEO Frank Citara noted the power of art to give hope and inspiration not only to patients and their families, but to hospital staff as well.

   “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Congressman Smith’s office to host such vibrant artwork from our local high school students,” Citara said. “Showcasing these pieces was not just about decorating the halls of the hospital but about further instilling a sense of community and providing a source of inspiration and hope for our patients, their families and our team members. It's a testament to the healing power of art and a celebration of the young talent within our community."

   Smith told the students that when President Johnson signed the landmark National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act in 1965 into law, he said, “Art is a nation’s most precious heritage. For it is in our works of art that we reveal to ourselves, and to others, the inner vision which guides us as a nation.” Quoting from the Book of Proverbs, Johnson went on to say, “And where there is no vision, the people perish.” Smith also quoted President Reagan, who in exalting the right to free speech and expression said, “Where there’s liberty, art succeeds.”

Most entries, including the winners, will be exhibited in the Congressman Smith’s 2025 Virtual Art Gallery. Click here to view the 2025 gallery.