SPECIAL TO THE LEADER
Rep. Robert Aderholt announced winners in the 2026 4th Congressional District Art Competition, including students from Crossville, Boaz, Albertville and Guntersville schools and DAR.
Alaina Riggs, a student from West Point High School, was named the Best of Show winner in the competition following the awards ceremony held on April 13.
As the top overall winner, Riggs earned a full scholarship to Wallace State Community College, which she may apply toward any course of study she chooses. Her winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C., alongside winning entries from across the country.
Riggs will also travel to Washington this summer with a guest to attend the national Congressional Art Competition ceremony, with airfare provided courtesy of Southwest Airlines.
“Alaina’s exceptional talent and creativity truly set her work apart,” Aderholt said. “It is an honor to recognize her achievement and to see her artwork represent Alabama’s 4th District in the U.S. Capitol. I look forward to welcoming her to Washington this summer as we celebrate the incredible artistic talent of students from across the nation.”
The Congressional Art Competition is an annual event that highlights the artistic achievements of high school students nationwide.
Category winners of the 2026 competition include:
Paintings
First Place: Jill Blocher (Cullman)
Second Place: Jax Rodgers (West Point)
Third Place: Scarlett McBride (Kate Duncan Smith DAR)
Drawings
First Place: Larkin Jeffrey (Cullman Christian)
Second Place: Ella Kate Smith (Guntersville)
Third Place: Madelyn Ketnor (Guntersville)
Collages
First Place: Aidan Cornelius (Cullman)
Second Place: Mary Tucker (Kate Duncan Smith DAR)
Third Place: Kennedy Ward (Boaz)
Prints
First Place: Cara Strevel (West Point)
Second Place: Holt Hurt (Florence)
Third Place: Emma Beavers (West Point)
Mixed Media
First Place: Katarina Marcus (Boaz)
Second Place: Brooklyn Powell (West Point)
Third Place: Ella McCullar (Florence)
Computer Graphics
First Place: Analia Lajara (St. Bernard Prep)
Second Place: Matthew Jimenez (Crossville)
Third Place: Myleigh Davis (Haleyville)
Photography
First Place: Kellen Cox (Kate Duncan Smith DAR)
Second Place: Saily Vail Santizo (Albertville Innovation Academy)
Third Place: Cooper Edwards (Florence)
West Point High School student Alaina Riggs’ work was judged Best in Show in the 4th Congressional District Art Competition for 2026. She earned a scholarship to Wallace State Community College and will have her work displayed at the Capitol Complex in Washington.
