Congressman Don Davis Announces Winner of 2025 Congressional Art Competition
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners during a special ceremony held on Saturday, April 18, 2025, at his Rocky Mount office.
[Congressman Don Davis with the 2025 Congressional Art Competition ceremony attendees]
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.
[2025 Congressional Art Competition 1st Congressional District pieces on display in Rocky Mount Mills]
"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 Congressman Davis. "I can’t wait to watch them take their next steps. They are the strength of eastern North Carolina's future.”
[A participant and her family view the 2025 Congressional Art Competition 1st Congressional District pieces on display in Rocky Mount Mills]
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.
2025 Winners – North Carolina’s First Congressional District
1st Place: Valerie F.C. Jacobson – The Unbothered Sister – Homeschool, Farm Life Country Day School, Martin County
[Congressman Don Davis and Congressional Art Winner Valerie F.C. Jacobson stand in front of Jacobson's award-winning piece "The Unbothered Sister."]
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
Participating students and their artwork include:
Bertie County
Alicia Cruz – View from my Backyard – Bertie County High School
Angel Lopez – Willa's Escape – Bertie County High School
Skakyle Brown – Deep in the Woods – Bertie County 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
Greene County
Reagan C. Greene – Cotton Fields – Greene Central 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
Martin County
Valerie F. C. Jacobson – The Unbothered Sister – Homeschool, Farm Life Country Day School
Nash County
Addison R. Rich – A Forgotten Past – Faith Christian School
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
[Jacobson's family embraces her as Congressman Davis announces her as the Congressional Art Winner for the 1st Congressional District.]
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.
[Judges Dara Silver and Emily Figueras meet to discuss the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners for North Carolina's 1st Congressional District.]
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.
Follow Congressman Davis
Facebook: facebook.com/RepDonDavis
Twitter: @RepDonDavis
Instagram: @RepDonDavis
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