Freehold Borough High School student Katie Janwich won first-place honors in the annual Fourth Congressional District Art Contest, besting 92 other entries submitted by students throughout the district.

    The awards were presented at a ceremony this afternoon in the art gallery at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, which hosts the annual competition. 

    Janwich, a junior, won best in show for her oil on canvas painting entitled “Still Life with Silver Pitcher,” a depiction of a water pitcher. Later this year, Janwich will be invited to a ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, and her painting will be displayed for a year in the Capitol complex for all to see.

    Her winning entry also entitles her to a $4,000 scholarship to Georgian Court University or a $3,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design if she decides to attend either institution.

    “On behalf of the residents of the Fourth District, I’d like to congratulate Katie and all of the other students who submitted entries in this year’s competition. Over the years, we have seen some outstanding artistic talent in our district via the competition, and that trend continued this year,” Smith said.

    First place honors went to Steve Venner, a senior at Howell High School for his work entitled “John,” a collage made of paper from a hole punch. Second place was awarded to Katie Fastnacht, who is in the 12^th grade at Manasquan High School. Katie submitted an oil painting self-portrait. 

    Third place went to Kristine Annunziata, a senior at Freehold Township High School, for her pencil work entitled “Kissable.” And Lakewood High School senior Angela Kunze won honorable mention for her digitally-manipulated self-portrait.

    The 93 entries were submitted from students at 12 different high schools from throughout the district. Smith has hosted the competition for a dozen years. 

    “I look forward to continuing to host this important program, which provides our budding artists with a venue to exhibit their talents and to compete against their peers,” Smith said.