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ROCKY MOUNT – U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners during a special ceremony held on Saturday, April 18 at his Rocky Mount office.

The competition is part of a nationwide initiative sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives and highlights the artistic talents of high school students across congressional districts. Over 30 students from North Carolina’s First Congressional District submitted original artwork this year.

“Celebrating some of eastern North Carolina’s best young artists was an honor. These students have extraordinary talent. I am so proud to recognize their art and hard work,” said Davis. “I can’t wait to watch them take their next steps. They are the strength of eastern North Carolina’s future.”

The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year alongside artwork from other congressional districts across the country. Runner-up winners will be featured in Congressman Davis’ district offices, showcasing the incredible talent of students across eastern North Carolina.

The winners from North Carolina’s First Congressional District were:

1st Place: Valerie F.C. Jacobson – The Unbothered Sister – Homeschool, Farm Life Country Day School, Martin County

2nd Place: Addison R. Rich – A Forgotten Past – Faith Christian School, Nash County

3rd Place: Reagan C. Greene – Cotton Fields – Greene Central High School, Greene County

Other participating students and their artwork include:

Bertie County

Alicia Cruz – View from my Backyard – Bertie High School

Angel Lopez – Willa’s Escape – Bertie High School

Skakyle Brown – Deep in the Woods – Bertie High School

Chowan County

Harper Evans – Free as a Butterfly – John A. Holmes High School

Laihla Frye – Singing Mountain – John A. Holmes High School

Olivia Resendiz – Tree of Life – John A. Holmes High School

Edgecombe County

Mallory E. Bryant – Between the River and the Stars – Edgecombe Early College High School

Jocelyn Hernandez Jimenez – Ray of Sunlight – North Edgecombe High School

Halifax County

Cherish Hunter – Civic Engagement – Roanoke Valley Early College

Izabella Merrill – Destined Solitude – KIPP Gaston College Prep Pride High

Jaela Cotton – Alligator Bites Never Heal – KIPP Gaston College Prep Pride High

Jatavia Bradley – Echoes of Expression – Roanoke Valley Early College

Tra’Kwan Fleming – Liberty Betrayed – Roanoke Valley Early College

Alaysia Lee – Earth at the Crossroads – Roanoke Valley Early College

Hertford County

A’mal Asiah Weston – A. Weston – Saiki K. – C.S. Brown High School STEM

Jay Zhang – Sunrise over a Windy Sea – C.S. Brown High School STEM

Nash County

Alice Nadezhda Sykes – A Hope in the Darkness – Faith Christian School

Stella Schank – Key West – Faith Christian School

Northampton County

Jovona Mayo – Night Fall Waves – KIPP Gaston College Prep Pride High

Pasquotank County

Francesca Cardenas – Machine retention-flesh submission – Pasquotank County High School

Geremiah Lewis Gore – The Stolen Color – Pasquotank County High School

Jorge Jimenez – Shattered Colors – Pasquotank County High School

Mattie R. Ditro – Ashes to Ashes – Pasquotank County High School

Christopher Antonio Quijada, Jr. – Society – Pasquotank County High School

Vance County

Lillian A. Bailess – Untitled Drawing – Vance Charter School

Laniya G. Hayes – Mountain Wildflowers – Vance Charter School

Morgan Paige Thomas – Morgan Thomas – Vance Charter School

Warren County

Payton Leah Terry – Where the Sky Meets the Sea – Warren County High School

This year’s panel of judges included:

Emily Figueras – An award-winning professional artist and former Gallery Director of the Arts Council of Wayne County. She is the proprietor of Fragments and Figs in Goldsboro. Her work is featured at the North Carolina Museum of Art, The Big Rock Tournament Store, The Village Craftsmen in the Outer Banks, and online.

Dara Silver – Senior Program Director for the Artists and Organizations Team at the North Carolina Arts Council. With over 20 years in the arts, she oversees programs supporting artists and arts organizations statewide. Silver holds an MPA from Appalachian State University, a BA in Anthropology and Art History from UNC Greensboro, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University.

O’Neal Pullie – A retired art educator from Elizabeth City Public Schools and proprietor of O.J. Teez Screen Printing in Elizabeth City.

The event featured a gallery walk of student artwork, an awards ceremony, a reception, and remarks from Congressman Davis. Families, teachers, and community members attended to support the student artists.

For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, visit www.dondavis.house.gov.