West Ranch Student Wins Congressional Art Competition

 West Ranch High School student Chiaki Ma’s still life drawing entitled “Autumn’s Fruits” won the 35th Annual Congressional Art Competition in the 25th Congressional District, which is represented by Republican Steve Knight.  Chiaki’s art will now hang in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., for the next year.  She and her mother will attend a reception honoring all of the winners from the nation’s 435 congressional districts on June 23 at the Capitol Visitor Center.  The two will fly to Washington courtesy of Southwest Airlines.  Chiaki credited her West Ranch art teacher – Sally Rush – for helping to make her win possible.
“(I am) so excited to be able to take up this great opportunity, and thank you Mrs. Rush for being a great art teacher,” Chiaki said.  “I could not have done it without you.”
Three of the four finalists for the 25th District’s Congressional Art Award were from West Ranch.  In addition to Chiaki, Justin Park and Cynthia Samano were chosen out of the 60 entries as finalists.  The judging of the art – which came from Simi, Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys – was hosted by FastFrame Valencia and KHTS AM-1220.