Garamendi Announces 2025 Winners of Congressional High School Art Competition

Vallejo, CA— Last week, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) announced the winners of this year's Congressional High School Art Competition at a ceremony in Vallejo.

The grand prize winner was Lucida Chen of Wang Qi Art Studio with her piece, "Hope” Lucida’s work will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year in a gallery featuring winners from Congressional Districts throughout the country.

"Every year, I'm impressed by the incredible talent exhibited by our young artists throughout the region in the Congressional High School Art Competition. This year was no different. I wholeheartedly extend my congratulations to Lucida. Her artistic talent and hard work were on full display. I look forward to hanging her piece in the Halls of Congress," said Congressman Garamendi. "Our community is enriched by the next generation of artists, including all the talented young people who took part in this competition."

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.

The full list of student submissions is listed below:

Grand Prize Winner
Lucida Chen, Wang Qi Art Studio, Fairfield, "Hope"
 

Runner Up
Mark Wong, Albany High School, San Pablo, "Teenage Friendships”

Solano County Winner 
Chelsey Greene, Vacaville High School, Vacaville, "Saif and Yusef"

Contra Costa County Winner
Brent Hollon, Pinole Valley High School, Hercules, "Everyday, ShinJuke, Hyakunincho"

Vallejo
Jesse Bethel High School
Cristo Zepeda “Ripped wing of Beauty”
Eliza Dieon “Nanay's Ulam (mom's cooking)”
Janelle Lewis “Octopous Lady”
Jeamel Pedeglorio “Beyond the Vision of light”
Kayla Domingo “A Flower, Not a Weed”
--
Vallejo High School
Angel  Suastegui “Ford F-150”
Dayna Jimena Mejia Morales “Forever In Love”
Mya Josey “Two Figures”

Pinole
Pinole Valley High School
Ayanna Vivas “The Creek”
Emmi Ng “untitled”
Jonathan Salmeron “The forgotten trail”
Jonathan Salmeron “Midnight Glow”
Shayla Ochoa “Zoe”
William Cruz “The Final Majestic Rose”

San Pablo
Pinole Valley High School
Diego Diaz “The Valley”
Diego Diaz “Angel's Cross”
Diego Diaz “Sun's Eye”
Taylur Nase “Hope in Sight”
--
Albany High School
Mark Wong “Teenage Friendships”

El Cerrito
Albany High School 
Maedora Song “Keys”

Richmond
Albany High School
Iris Yu “Eye of the Beholder”
Iris Yu “Brace Yourself”
Maxwell Prost “Running in Time”
--
De Anza High School
Alexa Ealy “Untitled”
Camilla Caramagno “Untitled”
Eneida Lucas “Untitled”
Felicatas C. “Untitled”
Lai Lee “Untitled”
Mark Santos “Untitled”
Meerub “Untitled”
Rachel Ramirez “Untitled”
Ruby “Untitled”
Stephanie Raninez “Untitled”
--
Pinole Valley High School
Jordan Versher “Blue Aluminum Chrome”

Hercules
Pinole Valley High School
Brent Hollon “Everyday, ShinJuke, Hyakunincho”
Brent Hollon “Wishes”
Brent Hollon “Reverie”
Xavier Huerta “Modern Color”
--
Vista High School
Jacob Pesmark “Every Second Counts Teamwork”

Fairfield 
Early College High School
Natalia Perez “Honest Reflection”
--
Rodriguez High School
Minerva Harrison “Blood-Tied”
--
Wang Qi Art Studio
Lucida Chen “Hope”

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