Wisconsin Student To Have Her Art Displayed At U.S. Capitol

May 31, 2019

This weekend, U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) announced the winner of his first annual First District Artistic Discovery Contest. Kylee Kappers of Kenosha will have her drawing, "Brave", displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

"Congratulations to Kylee on this great accomplishment. Kylee's respect for our nation's veterans is admirable," Steil said in a statement to Patch.

Kappers said she created her piece 'Brave' out of respect for not only the U.S. Marines who died in World War II, but to all who have served, are serving, and will serve in any branch of the U.S. military. Kappers' stipple drawing depicts Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Joe Rosenthal's February 1945 photo of U.S. Marines raising the American Flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during World War II.

Rosenthal's photo is among the most iconic U.S. war photos ever taken, and has been re-created and reprinted countless times, including being cast in bronze in the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

18 student artists in the First District participated in the competition. Families, friends, student artists, and art teachers attended the ceremony. Included in that group are several from The Prairie School, Union Grove High School and Kenosha Indian Trail School.

The following students participated in the competition:

Deven Jossart (The Prairie School)
Kristin Coggins (Craig HS)
Jimena Murguia Espino (Indian Trail HS & Academy)
Paris Liu (The Prairie School)
Emma Fladhammer (Union Grove HS)
Giana Jones (Kenosha Christian Life School)
Lydia Chavez (Kenosha Christian Life School)
Hanah Nordmeyer (Big Foot High School)
Aidan Eberle (Catholic Central High School)
Daniel Martin (Union Grove HS), Nathan Shores (Big Foot HS)
Kylee Kappers (Indian Trail HS and Academy)

Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation and our district.