Arabia Mountain High Students Receive $51,500 in Art Scholarships 

student-with-rep-hank-johnsonStudents from one DeKalb County School District (DCSD) high school received scholarships worth $51,500 on April 21 courtesy of a United States congressman.

Arabia Mountain High School students Arantza Pena Popo and Esther Gibbs participated in the 2018 Congressional Arts Competition, which recognizes and rewards talented high school students nationwide.

As selections from Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s 4th Congressional District in portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett Newton and Rockdale counties, Arantza Pena Popo was awarded a four-year scholarship worth $12,000 per year to attend Savannah College of Art & Design, while Esther Gibbs received a $3,500 scholarship from the Art Institute of Atlanta.

Arantza Peno Popo was awarded the grand prize for her charcoal piece, “Cultural Portrait,” which she describes as “facial adornment from different cultures.” Esther Gibbs’ pencil drawing, “Picture of Myself in African Adornments,” earned her selection as third runner up.

The students joined students from both St. Pius X Catholic High and Brookwood High in being selections. More than 30 high school students from throughout the 4th Congressional District submitted pieces for consideration.

Both pieces will sit alongside last year’s selections in an art exhibit debuting on May 19 at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.