U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R - Columbus) recently congratulated Leandra Ulmer for winning first place in Ohio's 15th Congressional District Art Competition.

Ulmer is a sophomore at Clinton-Massie High School and is the daughter of David and Linda Ulmer. Her first-place work of art is titled "Abandoned House" and is a drawing of an abandoned house. Leandra took part in the art competition as part of Kristin Walker's art class.

The competition was held at The Wagnalls Memorial Library on April 26 and there were more than 280 pieces of artwork under consideration for the top prize.

"We had a record-breaking turnout of high school students participating in this year's Congressional art competition and I congratulate Leandra on winning first place," Stivers said. "She submitted an outstanding work of art, which will hang in the Capitol Building in recognition of her outstanding work."

The art competition is held every year to recognize the talents of high school students to support and promote the arts and to foster creativity and artistic expression.

Ulmer will have her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. She also will be awarded a trip Washington, D.C. to attend a reception and to see her artwork hung inside the Capitol.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.