High school freshman Sally Almaklani has been chosen to have her artwork put on display at the U.S. Capitol building after her drawing was chosen by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Sally started art and drawing because of her sister and has recently picked it back up after stopping during the pandemic.

An art program started by Sai Veradan at Renaissance High School has had some students’ art displayed at major galleries across the city.

When Almaklani heard about the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, she wanted to create something that would make a difference. Her final submission was an image of a Muslim woman wearing her hijab, with the message “my hijab makes me powerful” on it.

She will head to D.C. later this month to see her painting hanging in the Capitol building.