Lawrence High school senior Gabriela “Gaby” Otero, center, was presented a Congressional Art Award on Tuesday at the school from U.S Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., pictured at right. Otero’s photo of a strawberry, top right, will be displayed in a tunnel leading from the House office buildings to the U.S. Capitol, and the award includes a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a reception. At left is Gaby’s mother, Sandra Otero.

Collage self-portrait by Lauren Nuss

Collage self-portrait by Audrey Hughes

Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins presented Congressional Art Awards to three FSHS students. Angelone’s pastel portrait was one of the winners.

Photo by Gaby Otero

It started out as a photography project for Lawrence High senior Gabriela Otero.

Now her work will be viewed by members of Congress and thousands of visitors to Washington, D.C., in the next year as they walk in the underground tunnel from House office buildings to the Capitol.

“I thought it was really amazing knowing that everybody will see it, and lots of important people will get to see it. It’s exciting,” Otero said.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., came to LHS on Tuesday morning and presented Otero with an award as the winner in the state’s 2nd District Artistic Discovery Contest. The art contest for high school students goes on in congressional districts across the nation each spring.

Jenkins commissioned art enthusiasts in the 2nd District to judge the competition. Otero’s winning photo was a strawberry split in half over wood that was starting to split as well.

“I think it was fresh and original and just caught their eye,” Jenkins said. “I think they were looking for something unique, and they found it in Gabriela’s photo.”

As Jenkins visited LHS art teacher Angelia Perkins’ class, Otero learned that Southwest Airlines will fly her to Washington for a reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Lawrence schools did extremely well in the contest. On Tuesday, Jenkins awarded second to fourth places to three Free State High School students: junior Marie Angelone for a pastel portrait, sophomore Lauren Nuss for a collage self-portrait, and junior Audrey Hughes for a collage self-portrait. Jenkins will display their art work in her offices throughout the state.

“I think Douglas County is obviously doing something right when it comes to placing priorities in the arts,” Jenkins said.