Garamendi Announces Winners of 2026 Congressional High School Art Competition

VALLEJO, CA-Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) announced the winners of this year's Congressional High School Art Competition at a ceremony in Vallejo.

You can find images of winning art from the event HERE

The grand prize winner was Heidy Iraheta for her piece, "Different". Heidy's work will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year in a gallery featuring winners from congressional districts across the country.

"Every year, I am impressed by the exceptional talent demonstrated by young artists throughout the region in the Congressional High School Art Competition. This year was no exception. I extend my sincere congratulations to Heidy for her outstanding work, Different. I look forward to displaying her piece in the halls of Congress, where it will be seen by visitors from across the nation," said Rep. Garamendi. "I thank every artist who participated in this year's competition. Our community is enriched by your creativity and vision, and I am grateful to represent such a talented district."

Started in 1982, the nationwide Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives and is an opportunity to recognize and encourage student artistic talent across the country. The pieces were judged by a panel of independent judges who performed the tough task of narrowing down the winners. Teachers, parents, and mentors worked behind the scenes to offer encouragement, advice, and inspiration.

Grand Prize Winner:

Heidy Iraheta, Richmond High School, "Different"

Second Place Winner:

Lucida Chen, Wang Qi Art Institute, "Dawn"

Third Place Winner:

Amara Jordan Redford, Benicia High School, "Figments"

People's Choice Award:

Ariel He-Wang, Angelo Rodriguez High School, "The Distance in Memory"

The full list of student submissions is listed below:

Vallejo

Vallejo High School

• Blanca Rodriguez, "The Path of Growth" & "The Winds of Roots"
• Camia Gatlin, "Identity and Emotion"
• Harnold Santiago Fuentes Bustos, "The Door to the Future" & "The Path of Growth"
• Kashmere Holmes, "Deer" & "At the Pond"

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Jesse Bethel High School

• Geraldine Hope Sanchez, "Unto You"
• Janell Lewis, "City Streets"
• Marco Abude, "Applepede"
• Nathaniel Alcantara, "Ladder of Opportunity"
• Ray-Juanito Ruiz, "Big Eye with a Heart in It"
• Roberto Gunjardo, "Swingside View"
• Sabrina Bettencourt, "Test of Time"
• Saniah Pope, "Sea of Night Sunset"
• Steven Rojas Ramirez, "Zoey"
• Tatara Arbab, "Hope at the Face of Disaster"
• Trace Wilson, "Maintaining Peace Mountain"
• Ximena Contreras, "Silent Truth"

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Pinole Valley High School

• Daveri Meremeyer, "Nostalgia Street"
• Davi Joseph Santiago, "The Eyes of Mother and Child"
• Vincent Balestreri Davis, "On the Run"

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Richmond High School

• Isabel Ruiz, "The Hope After Grief"
• Jody Villenas, "Youth"

Benicia

Benicia High School

• Hannah Lozada, "Violent and Vulnerable"

Albany

Albany High School

• Iris Yu, "The Impermanence of Growing," "Out of Batteries" & "Yellow on the Outside, White on the Inside"

Hercules

Sylvester Greenwood Academy

• Alex Eduardo Bonilla Gonzalez, "The Samurai"
• Alfredo Jeremiah Flores, "The Golden Crane Geisha"
• Gabriel Sampaio, "The Dance of the Cherry Blossoms"

• Leilani Galiendes Navarrete, "The Elegant Geisha"

Crockett

John Swett High School

• Natalie Newman, "Afro Beauty"

Fairfield

Angelo Rodriguez High School

• Sienna Umana, "Whose America?"

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