Rep. Panetta Announces Student Winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Rep. Panetta congratulates the 2026 first place winner of the Congressional Art Competition

Santa Cruz, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced the winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition held for local high school students. Adelaide Strom from Pacific Grove High School earned first place for her piece titled, "Adelaide in Aubergine." Adelaide's artwork will be proudly displayed in the United States Capitol alongside winning submissions from across the country.

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide tradition that began in 1982. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Each spring, congressional offices select a winning piece to be displayed in the United States Capitol. First place winners and a family member are invited to Washington, D.C. for a special ceremony honoring their achievement. This year, 33 students all across the 19th Congressional District submitted original artwork for the competition.

"The immense talent we saw on display showcases the unparalleled beauty of our district and unique talent of our students in California's 19th Congressional District," said Rep. Panetta. "This contest also illustrates the importance of arts education and programming for our youth as a means of self-expression and of opening students to new skills, ideas, and interests. I look forward to seeing Adelaide's artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol, with a deep sense of pride for all the young people that I have the privilege of representing. Our community and our democracy are built upon the commitment of the next generation, whether it's through service, art, or political engagement."

The full list of winners and honorees for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition is below:

• First Place: Adelaide Strom, Pacific Grove High School, "Adelaide in Aubergine"
• Second Place: Katherine Zhu, Leland High School, "Passengers of Life"
• Third Place: Emma Wang, Leland High School, "My Wish"
• Honorable Mention for Design: Stella Rae Thelen, Pacific Collegiate School, "Hidden Mind"
• Honorable Mention for Composition: Finn Maxwell, San Lorenzo Valley High School, "Sapere Aude"
• Honorable Mention for Technique: Jessamine Sloan, Leland High School, "Our Beginning"
• Honorable Mention for Story Telling: Clara Latham, Soquel High School, "I'd Be Fine"

First place winner Adelaide Strom's piece titled "Adelaide in Aubergine"

Second place winner Katherine Zhu's piece titled "Passengers of Life"

Third place winner Emma Wang's piece titled "My Wish"

Honorable Mention for Technique winner Jessamine Sloan's piece titled "Our Beginning"

Honorable Mention for Design winner Stella Rae Thelen's piece titled "Hidden Mind"

Honorable Mention for Composition Winner Finn Maxwell's piece titled "Sapere Aude"

Honorable Mention for Story Telling Clara Latham's piece titled "I'd be Fine"

Rep. Panetta speaks to students, faculty, family, and friends at the Art Competition reception.

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