The sight of a congresswoman walking around in Lawrence is not typical. 
   But for senior Gaby Otero, an award-winning art piece calls for a rare occasion.
   On May 4, 2010, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins came to Lawrence High School to present Otero with the Congressional District Art award. Part of the award includes a flight to Washington, D.C. for Otero and another person. Her piece will be hung for a year in the tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol building.
   Angelia Perkins, Otero’s photography teacher, was eccstatic.
   “I was excited; I wasn’t prepared for it all,” Perkins said. “I didn’t think that we were going to have to prepare for the congressperson to visit.”
   The winning photograph is one of a strawberry, taken for the assignment “Ordinary.” Students were to take things that were ordinary and make them extraordinary. The photo has brought together Otero’s skills, and the award can only help her career.
   “I’ve been wanting to do it [photography] since I was a little kid,” Otero said.
   Every year, the Congressional District Art competition, in which students may submit paintings, drawings, and photographs, is held. One student’s piece for every congressperson wins the award. Otero feels very honored to win this.
   “I entered it real fast and filled out the paper work, and I thought other people would be better at it,” Otero said.
   Luckily, she was wrong.
   “I think it’s unique, and fresh, and creative,” Jenkins said.