Dear Neighbor,
It’s late Spring, that time of year when we get to recognize our high school and college graduates and young people throughout the community for their hard work and creativity.
In the last month, I’ve gotten to spend some time with many inspiring young people in our community making us proud this year.
Young People Developing their Artistic Vision
On May 8, my team hosted our ninth annual student art competition at VisArts in Rockville. Out of hundreds of participants in the process judged by local professional artists, 60 high school students had their artwork chosen to be displayed, 25 were chosen as runners-up and one piece was selected as the winner.
Katherine Xue, a junior at Richard Montgomery High School, took home the top prize with her dazzling piece Coming Home, her creative depiction of two friends which shows, as she writes, “the unbreakable bond of female friendships and girlhood.”
Katherine’s piece will be displayed in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel connected to the U.S. Capitol with other winning student artwork from across the country. Runners-up in the 8th District competition will have their work displayed at my District Office in Rockville.
I appreciate all the gifted student artists who shared their talents with us and send congratulations to Katherine, who has submitted in prior years, and her family for her fine breakthrough work. We encourage everyone to participate again and to keep beautifying the world with their artistic vision and arrangements.
Defending America and our Democracy
On May 16, we honored 19 young people from MD-08 who received appointments to U.S. service academies, selective institutions that prepare students for careers as officers in the various branches of our nation’s armed forces.
An expert panel of veterans in the 8th District interviewed all the applicants, and I nominated these students because I’m confident they will apply their growing knowledge and skills effectively for America. They have now earned admission to the nation’s illustrious service academies: the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
This group of MD-08 students made up one of the biggest appointment classes in the entire nation, a testament to the remarkable talent, skill and drive of young people here in Montgomery County. Each of these students embodies the strength and promise of American democracy and has shown their willingness to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
***
Thank you for joining me in embracing the promise of our young people. It remains a surpassing honor to serve as your Representative in Congress.
As always, I encourage all of my constituents across the Eighth District to connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Twitter/X, and to visit my website to learn more about the work my office is doing. If you need help with a federal agency and want to request my assistance, please complete the online request form here, and my District Office will be in touch.
All Best,
Jamie Raskin
This mailbox cannot receive replies. To email me, please click here.
|
