SAN ANTONIO – A prestigious award was presented to a talented art student at Highlands High School on Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett presented student Josue Ramirez with an award for winning the 2017 Congressional High School Art Competition.
Ramirez’s original piece, titled “Madness,” will be featured in the Washington Capitol for a year.
Ramirez is originally from El Salvador and said when he first got to the U.S., he wasn’t into art, but he said his art teacher helped him develop a passion for it.
The contest winner said art gives him a way to express his life and his feelings.
“My inspiration was the immigrants,” Ramirez said. “Why do the good immigrants have to leave? And some bad ones have to stay.”
“We’ve been fortunate here in San Antonio to attract the best and brightest from all over the world. This is a richer and more exciting community because we have attracted immigrants from other places” Doggett said. “This young man clearly has a lot of talent to bring and a great future ahead of him.”
Ramirez said he is excited to go to Washington to see his artwork displayed.