South Tahoe High Student Meghan Byrd Wins National Honor

For the sixth consecutive year, South Tahoe High School students have won honors in the California Fourth District Congressional Art Competition.

STHS student Meghan Bryd won the competition this year with her photograph in honor of a holocaust survivor.

"Dedicated to Alice Herz-Sommer, who Nazi's forced to play the piano, to keep prisoner's calm on their way to the gas chambers," Byrd said in her artist's statement. "Her love of people and music helped save her and her sons life. She embodies liberty in how she focused on offering a moment of emotional liberty through music for those in the grimmest of situations. Alice passed away on February 23, 2014. She inspires me to find the freedom and beauty in every situation. As an artist and musician I feel a deep emotional love, a unique way to communicating and liberty in sharing my art."

Her winning entry will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year, joining the winning entries from each congressional district across the United States. Byrd and a guest will be flown to the unveiling of the exhibit and a reception in Washington, D.C.

Two other STHS students won honorable mention for their artwork. Brianna Rettig artwork titled "Pioneer's Celebrated Liberty" which documents life in Bodie, California and Racheal Aronoff for her photograph of her sister dancing and daydreaming titled, "Inspirational Daydreaming".