MANCHESTER – U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) hosted high school artists from across the First District, their families, and community leaders for a reception at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics as part of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. Rep. Pappas presented this year’s first-place award to Julia Thomas, a student at Raymond High School. Second and third-place recognition was awarded to Emily Dahl, a student at Manchester Memorial High School, and Rui Hernandez, a student at Pinkerton Academy, respectively.

The panel of judges also awarded honorable mentions to Ozzie Allumbaugh from Winnacunnet High School, Sam Pearson from Pinkerton Academy, Amanda Lauridsen from Manchester Memorial High School, and Thu Nguyen from Manchester Memorial High School.

“The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to uplift young talent across the country and to recognize and celebrate how important arts education is to our young people. This was the seventh year my office has gotten to do this, and, like every year, we received impressive, thoughtful, and creative pieces from talented student artists across the First District,” said Congressman Pappas. “The arts are alive and well here in New Hampshire among our high school students, and I’m glad to be able to celebrate all of these works of art. I thank each student who participated and shared their skill and passion with us.”

Each spring Congressman Pappas hosts the First District’s art contest as part of a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by Members of Congress in collaboration with the Congressional Institute. The competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in New Hampshire.

High school students who attend schools in or live in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District are eligible to participate. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol as part of an exhibit with winners from around the country.