HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, announced the winners of the 2025 4th Congressional District Art Competition during a special awards ceremony held Monday morning, April 7, at Wallace State Community College.
Elianna Hollis, a student at Cullman High School, placed first in the Drawings category. Maria Agnello, a student at St. Bernard Prep School, placed first in the Computer Graphics category. Other local winners included Frankie Kate Kruger from Cullman High School (third place, Collages), Emma Beavers from West Point High School (second place, Prints) and Harper Granger from Cullman High School (third place, Mixed Media).
The top honor, Best of Show, was awarded to Natalie Jones, an 11th grader at DAR School in Grant. Natalie’s exceptional piece—a colorful 3D crocheted tree—will be displayed in the United States Capitol for the next year as part of the national Congressional Art Competition exhibit. As the Best of Show winner, Natalie will also travel to Washington, D.C. this summer to participate in the national awards ceremony. In addition to this prestigious recognition, she has been awarded a full two-year scholarship to Wallace State Community College.
Reflecting on her piece, Jones said, “So, I really like the art collages and most of them that I see on places like Pinterest and other websites all the pieces are flat. I wanted to do something that came off of the canvas. Something that was really colorful and brought the colors of art and nature together.”
Aderholt praised all the participating students for their creativity and talent, stating, “Each year I continue to be amazed at the level of artistic ability we see from students across the 4th District. The imagination and dedication these young artists pour into their work is truly inspiring. I want to extend my sincere thanks to Wallace State Community College and its president, Dr. Vicki Karolewics, for once again hosting this wonderful event and for their continued support of arts education in our schools.”
Additional winners by category
Paintings
- Lilli Gilliland – JB Pennington High School
- Yadira Juan – Russellville High School
- Yumiya Xie – Florence High School
Drawings
- Elianna Hollis – Cullman High School
- Ashley Pankey – Boaz High School
- Luke McCurdy – Guntersville High School
Collages
- Flor Gonzalez – DAR High School
- Alexx Stadelman – DAR High School
- Frankie Kate Kruger – Cullman High School
Prints
- Holt Hurt – Florence High School
- Emma Beavers – West Point High School
- Peyton Millsap – Haleyville High School
Mixed Media
- Vanessa Corona Rios – Guntersville High School
- Isabella Smith – Sumiton Christian School
- Harper Granger – Cullman High School
Computer Graphics
- Maria Agnello – St. Bernard Prep School
- Laiken Rice – DAR High School
- Matthew Jiminez – Crossville High School
Photography
- Juan Dominguez – Haleyville High School
- Stacy Johnson – Florence High School
- Crystal Gonzalez – Guntersville High School
