Hermitage HS student earns third-place award in 2026 Fourth District Congressional Art Competition
Hermitage High School student Emily S. John tied for third place in the 2026 Fourth District Congressional Art Competition with her piece titled A Day in Pepperland.
U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the event's awards May 19.
The overall first place winner, Thomas Dale High School eleventh-grader Gabrielle Williams, submitted her original acrylic painting entitled American Dream. Her work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol later this year.
“Every year, the sheer amount of creativity and talent from young artists across Virginia’s Fourth astounds me,” McClellan said. “Thank you to the students who participated this year and chose to share their perspectives with us through creative expression. I encourage you all to continue pursuing this passion and let it guide you for years to come!”
The panel of art judges reviewing each piece consisted of S. Ross Browne, Sir James Thornhill, Allie Sarinana, Sara Ward and Taekia Glass.
John's piece also earned second place in the Drawings category, while Varina High School student Mogran Schaaf's drawing titled Between Two Worlds earned third place in the same category.
In the Other Media category, Hermitage High School student Ivy Craig earned an honorable mention for a sculpture with clay piece titled Tree Bark.
