Raritan NJ
5-09-2025 11:57am

Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that Parinita Chandrashekar won the 2025 Congressional Art Competition

The United States Capitol Building is the next stop for the artwork of Parinita Chandrashekar, a senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced on Sunday, May 4, that Parinita won the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District.

Parinita’s drawing, titled “Cutting Through Reality,” landed her first place in this prestigious contest, and it also landed her artwork in Washington, D.C., where the drawing will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

She has also been invited to a June ceremony in Washington, where her drawing and the artworks of other winning students from around the country will be unveiled.

Congressman Kean announced the winners during a Congressional Art Competition Recognition Event in Flemington.

All participating student artists and their families were invited to attend the affair on May 4. Each student was recognized for their creativity and dedication.

Two runners-up were also recognized: Laurie Wu of Ridge High School for “Birth,” and Deeksha Chaganur of Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School for “Pines and Petals.” Their pieces will be exhibited in Congressman Kean’s offices in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., on a rotating basis throughout the year. A panel of professional judges selected all winners based on artistic skill, design, visual appeal, and originality.

"Our district is home to many exceptionally talented young artists, and the incredible submissions we received this year were truly impressive," Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. said. "Congratulations to Parinita, whose remarkable artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, representing the creativity and spirit of our district. I also want to thank all 51 students who participated, along with their art teachers, judges, and families. Their dedication and support are what made this year’s competition such a success."

Another Bridgewater-Raritan High School student was also recognized during the ceremony.

Angela Zhou, a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was among seven students who received the Honorable Mention award.

Bridgewater-Raritan High School art students have performed quite well recently in the Congressional Art Competition for New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District.

In 2023, Sharanya Ram, who was a junior at the time at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was the winner in the Congressional Art Competition for New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District. Angela Xu, who was a senior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, was named the Runner-Up that year.

Sharanya earned Honorable Mention in the competition in 2024 when schoolmate Christine Xu, who was a junior, was recognized as a Runner-Up.

Sarah Nassan, a Bridgewater-Raritan High School Art Teacher and the Advisor to the National Art Honor Society, has seen her prized student Parinita emerge as an award-winning artist.

“ I am immensely proud that Pari has been honored with this award. Her artistic talent has developed remarkably, and it has been a pleasure to witness the growth of her artwork and attention to detail,” Ms. Nassan said.

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