The Klein ISD had two art students, sophomore Maggie Shirley (Klein Oak High) and senior Than Tway (Klein Forest), who entered original digital graphics works of art in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition sponsored by the Congressional Art Caucus. Shirley’s piece “La Fille Floraison” won first place in the 10th District, while Tway’s “A Fun Night” won first in the 18th District. Their artwork will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for the upcoming year.

Members of Congress annually select student artwork to showcase talented and creative high school students in their respective districts. Klein Oak’s Shirley is represented by Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District). She has participated and placed first at the regional level in the Visual Art Scholastic Event, received an honorable mention in Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and also from the Culture Shapers. KFHS’ Tway is represented by Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (18th District). Tway, a refugee from Burma who has been in the country for nearly three years, has won several art accolades in the Klein ISD. He medaled twice at state Visual Art Scholastic Event, receiving both Scholastic Gold and Silver Keys, and won the Danny Wood Heart in Art Award from Culture Shapers For more information about the art contest, visit http://house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/

Seniors from Klein High School and Klein Collins High School were among the 2,500 students nationwide to win National Merit®college scholarships announced today, May 23, 2012, by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The Klein ISD had five scholars earn awards, and include:

Student                                       School         University Scholarship

Sooraj Gandhi Bhakthavachalam      Klein High       University of Houston

Diego Guala                                  Klein Collins     University of Houston

Mallory L. Kohut                            Klein Collins     Texas A&M University

Nathan J. McCammon                    Klein High       Texas A&M University

Brandon A. Newman                      Klein High       Texas Christian University

Nearly 200 U.S. colleges and universities funded National Merit® Scholarships from private and public institutions in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship program who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at a participating institution. Additional recipients of college-sponsored awards are released on July 9. Visit www.nationalmerit.org for more information.