U.S. Senator Jack Reed has announced the winners of his 2013 annual High School Arts Competition to celebrate the artistic and creative talents of young people across Rhode Island. In its 23rd year, Senator Reed’s annual high school arts contest is co-sponsored by the Rhode Island Art Education Association and the Warwick Mall. 

Alexandra Smith, a junior at Cranston High School West, took this year’s top honors. Her pen and ink on illustration board “Baegon My Grandma” will be displayed in Senator Reed’s Washington, D.C. office for the next year to help showcase Rhode Island’s artistic talent to visitors from across the country.

Second place winner is Sophomore Annelise Freund of Mount Saint Charles Academy.

This year’s statewide competition drew entries from 24 different public, private and parochial high schools. This year’s panel of judges included: Chris Chabot of Chabot Gallery, as well as Dan Mechnig and David DePetrillo of the Providence Art Club. 

Honorable Mention awards were given to six students, including: Sandra Lopez, Cranston High School East; Meika Matook, Cranston High School West; Andrew Kulik, East Greenwich High School; Anthony Anderson, LaSalle Academy; Joel Dunn, Pilgrim High School; and Haley Yaw, Portsmouth High School.

Additionally, Austin Porto of Mount Hope High School was chosen as the “Reed staff pick.”