Namena Bojang’s self-portrait is a Congressional Art Contest winner. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Namena Bojang’s self-portrait will have a temporary, new home after winning in the Congressional Art Contest.

The artwork by Bojang, a junior at Bob Jones High School, will represent Alabama’s 5th Congressional District and hang for one year in the U.S. Capitol in view of members of Congress on their walk to chambers, art teacher Robin Lakso said.

The Congressional Institute sponsors the nationwide competition in visual art for high school students. More than 650,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional Art Contest since its founding in 1982. Panels of district artists select the winning entries.

“I have made art since elementary school but seriously since tenth grade,” Bojang said. “I have always liked to draw and create since I can remember.”

Bojang created her award-winning artwork with charcoal and coffee. “I think my favorite piece is a colored-self portrait that I recently finished,” she said. “I have a hugely wide smile and I’m looking through a pair of scissors. It’s just really a fun piece.”

For the same artwork, Bojang also earned top honors, the Gold Key, with the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. She also received first place at the Madison Street Festival and in Reflections, the national PTA-sponsored fine arts program.

At Bob Jones, Bojang is a member of the varsity track team and runs the 4-x-1, 4-x-2 and 4-x-4 relays, along with the 400-meter dash. She is a French Club officer, member of National Art Honor Society and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

As a junior, she continues to consider her college path. “I have narrowed down my choices to Baylor, Ohio State or Mississippi Valley State University because I got offered a track scholarship,” Bojang said. “I think I want to be an anesthesiologist and major in biology, but I believe my colleges want me to have a diverse background.”

“My love of art and running will fit into that whole life experience,” Bojang said. Her parents are Awa and Arona Bojang.