HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama, on Tuesday announced that Alaina Riggs, a student from West Point High School, was named the “Best of Show” winner in the 2026 4th Congressional District Art Competition. An awards ceremony was held on April 13.
As the top overall winner, Riggs has 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 United States Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C., alongside winning entries from across the country.
Riggs will also travel to Washington, D.C. 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,” said Aderholt. “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. This year’s 4th District competition featured outstanding submissions across a variety of categories.
Category winners of the 2026 competition include:
Paintings
- 1st Place: Jill Blocher (Cullman)
- 2nd Place: Jax Rodgers (West Point)
- 3rd Place: Scarlett McBride (KDS/DAR)
Drawings
- 1st Place: Larkin Jeffrey (Cullman Christian)
- 2nd Place: Ella Kate Smith (Guntersville)
- 3rd Place: Madelyn Ketnor (Guntersville)
Collages
- 1st Place: Aidan Cornelius (Cullman)
- 2nd Place: Mary Tucker (KDS/DAR)
- 3rd Place: Kennedy Ward (Boaz)
Prints
- 1st Place: Cara Strevel (West Point)
- 2nd Place: Holt Hurt (Florence)
- 3rd Place: Emma Beavers (West Point)
Mixed Media
- 1st Place: Katarina Marcus (Boaz)
- 2nd Place: Brooklyn Powell (West Point)
- 3rd Place: Ella McCullar (Florence)
Computer Graphics
- 1st Place: Analia Lajara (St. Bernard Prep)
- 2nd Place: Matthew Jimenez (Crossville)
- 3rd Place: Myleigh Davis (Haleyville)
Photography
- 1st Place: Kellen Cox (KDS/DAR)
- 2nd Place: Saily Vail Santizo (Albertville Innovation Academy)
- 3rd Place: Cooper Edwards (Florence)
Aderholt also extended his appreciation to the community partners who made this year’s event possible.
“I want to sincerely thank Wallace State Community College for graciously hosting this year’s awards ceremony and offering scholarships to the category winners, and The Westervelt Company of Tuscaloosa for their continued support as a sponsor of this important program,” Aderholt added.
