Christina Giusti needed a little good news in her life.

After a concussion sidelined her from lacrosse, classes and a host of other activities, the Sewickley Academy sophomore was feeling down and out.

But Christina's dark days didn't last long, because one of her many talents -- drawing -- got her a $20,000 scholarship to Savannah School of Art and Design in Georgia.

"You've got to be kidding me," Giusti said as her name was called at the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton on May 3 for the 2008 Congressional Arts Competition for Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District.

"Coming from the concussion, I was feeling depressed. But the award made it so much better."

As the Giustis listened to the other student-artists names called for honorable mention and third and second prizes, Christina looked at her mother and said, "They forgot me," she said.

But forgotten she wasn't. Her drawing, "Portrait of Renata," placed highest among the 26 other entries in the 4th Congressional district which stretches from southern Mercer County, through portions of Allegheny, Beaver and Butler counties, and makes its way to southern Westmoreland County.

"Not even in my dreams did I think I would have a chance at winning the competition," Christina said. "Our family was so shocked and surprised."

It took a while before the magnitude of the achievement sunk in, Christina said."I'm only a sophomore, and to already have a $20,000 scholarship is amazing," she said.

"When I got home and realized what a great school this is, that's when it hit me.

"It is fantastic to have that option, especially at this point in my life."

Christina's artwork also will hang inside the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Christina, who has never seen the Capitol in person, plans to visit Washington, D.C., in June to view her artwork.

"I'm really excited to be able to see my art hanging in the Capitol building," she said. "I've only really seen the Capitol building in postcards and in (the movie) 'National Treasure.'"

Though she enjoys art, Christina had never considered herself a great artist, she said.

"I love drawing," she said. "But I see so many others who are doing it and I just never thought I was as good."

Other than sketching on her chemistry binder, Christina isn't registered for any art classes at school. It's too difficult, she said, to fit in with sports and a plethora of honors courses.

Instead, Christina takes private lessons from Sewickley Academy art instructor Rob Edwards.

"I credit him with so much of my talent," she said. "He is really inspirational and has always been encouraging.

"I always believed what he said about my work but this really affirmed what he's said."

It was her teacher who submitted Christina's work to the competition.

"She has been very keen to follow drawing and painting examples that have been traditional in execution," Edwards said. "She has that ability to take my advice and any direction I can give her."

He's proud of her accomplishments and talent.

"I see myself as more of a cheerleader than anything else," Edwards said. "She's a very motivated and inspired student."

She enjoys sports and her honors classes, but the award might have changed her mind about leaving art in the background.

"The award really opened my eyes to art," she said. It's something I want to incorporate a lot more into my life now."