Griffin Running of Tahoma High School won the 2011 Congressional Art Competition for Washington’s Eighth Congressional District with a work titled “Puddle.”

“It was really exciting,” the 17-year-old junior said.

Running was selected on Friday evening at a reception hosted by Congressman Dave Reichert at Bellevue College.

“These students have found new ways of expressing themselves and I encourage them to continue to do so,” Reichert said. “I applaud them for their effort and thank their parents and teachers for playing an active role in their ongoing educational development.”

This marks the third year in a row that Tahoma High has brought home the award. Although it is the first time Running has entered and won an art competition, it is the second win for his family. His older brother, Colton, a 2010 Tahoma graduate, took first place last year.

Running’s work will be unveiled in the Cannon Tunnel in the U.S. Capitol at the official National Reception in June and will remain on display for one year.

He stated that he took his photo as a part of his AP Digital Graphic Arts class after he found a puddle of water in an alleyway that fit well with their emphasis on reflections. When asked if he was interested in a career in photography, he said it was a possibility.

The two students who received honorable mention at the reception were also from Tahoma High, Nadine Hyde for “Random Thought” and Samantha De Leon for “Self Portrait.”

“It was the first piece I ever put that amount of effort into,” said De Leon, a 16-year-old junior who is also taking the AP Digital Graphic Arts class.

As part of the recognition, each was asked to speak after receiving their award.

Running said he talked about how his brother won last year, which inspired him to enter himself.

The Congressional Art Competition has been held since 1982. Over 650,000 students have participated since the competition’s inception.

Reichert is a member of the Congressional Art Caucus.

“The talent displayed at our annual art competition never fails to impress me and this year was no different,” he said.