Five students represented Brophy at the AZ03 Congressional Art Competition this past Tuesday, April 22. Sebastian Estrada ’28, Alexander Juarez Pina ’28, Armani McDowell ’26, Leo Ochoa Armenta ’26, and Damian Guzman ’25 all had their artwork showcased at a reception ceremony at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, with a few Broncos earning special recognition.

Sebastian Estrada took home first place in the overall competition. His artwork will be displayed for 11 months in Washington D.C’s very own Cannon Tunnel, a walkway frequented by members of Congress and tourists in the nation’s capital. 

“I doubted my winning piece at the start,” said Estrada, “because of its deeper themes of abuse and trauma. But, at the reception, I met many people who related and shared their stories. I feel accomplished through my art, because I have captivated the human heart.”

Armani McDowell also received special recognition, earning fourth place in the competition. His artwork will be displayed for 11 months in the lobby of Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari’s District Office. 

Established in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has aimed to showcase artwork from high schoolers across the nation, with over 700,000 students having participated in years prior. 

This year, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari controlled outreach efforts to local high schools in Arizona’s Third Congressional District, marking the state’s first time participating in the national contest. Given their history of producing quality creative work, Estrada, Pina, McDowell, Ochoa Armenta, and Guzman were invited to participate in the competition by Mr. Jake Kelly ’09 and Ms. Abbey Withey and represent the school.