U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL JOHNSON Proudly Representing Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) recently announced the winners of the 6th District Congressional Art Competition, and three of the six students are from Union Local High School. Megan Lattocha, a junior at Union Local, won the overall district competition with her chalk pastel piece titled "Underwater Fun." It will hang in the United States Capitol with other congressional district winners from around the country, and she and a parent have been invited to a special ceremony for the show in Washington, D.C.

Lattocha said her favorite medium to work with is watercolors, but she's also used graphite, coal, hard pastels and paint. She plans to continue studying art next year as a senior. Lattocha credits Union Local art teacher Lisa Marple with helping her to develop her artistic skills.

"My skills have all changed because of the way she teaches and how she shows you to use mediums...she was a huge help," said Lattocha.

According to Marple, this is the fifth year out of six that Union Local students have won this district's competition in the Congressional show.

"That speaks very highly of the artistic talent of the students there, as well as the program and the quality of instruction the students receive from Lisa Marple," Johnson noted. "The submissions I have received from her students the last few years have been remarkable."

Marple gave credit to her students for their hard work this year and in the past.

"We have some absolutely fantastic students who give me 110 percent. They continually work on their projects outside of class, in their free time and over the summer," Marple offered.

She went on to explain that her teaching style is centered around the students' choices.

"I change my syllabus every two years according to what medium students want, what project they want to do at the time," she said, adding that there are often eight or nine different types of projects happening in the same classroom. "I want them to have some freedom. I want them to love art."

Marple teaches two classes each for art in levels 1-4.

"I am seriously so blessed to have the students. I enjoy what I do. I've been here for many, many years and I have not gotten burnt out. I love my job," Marple said.

Senior Ellie Knox and junior Amber Stankovich also took two of the slots, and their artwork will hang in two of Johnson's district offices. Those are located in Marietta, Ironton, Cambridge, Salem and Washington D.C. Knox entered a colored pencil piece titled "Our Story," and Stankovich's work is a watercolor titled "Moving Forward."

A panel of judges made up of district residents and art teachers selected the winning artwork. Those can be viewed on Johnson's website, billjohnson.house.gov, or his Facebook page, RepBillJohnson.