{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://sewell.house.gov/2025/5/rep-sewell-announces-winner-of-the-2025-congressional-art-competition-for-alabama-s-7th-congressional-district", "Rep. Sewell Announces Winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Alabama\u2019s 7th Congressional District", "2025-05-13", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri A. Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", "sewell", "https://sewell.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Tuscaloosa, AL \u2013 U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that Victoria Hardin, a 9th grader at Hillcrest High School, was awarded first place in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Alabama's 7th Congressional District. Rep. Sewell made the announcement Monday night during a virtual ceremony celebrating the 45 entries submitted by talented students from across the district. Hardin\u2019s artwork entitled \"Bama Beams Ahead\" will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.\n\n\u201cWe in Alabama\u2019s 7th Congressional District are blessed to have so many outstanding young artists!\u201d said Rep. Sewell. \u201cOnce again, I was completely amazed by all 45 submissions, and I am so proud of every student who participated this year.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongratulations to our first-place winner, Victoria Hardin, who did a wonderful job capturing our theme, \u2018Picturing a Future for our Historic District,\u2019\u201d continued Sewell. \u201cI look forward to welcoming her to Washington and showcasing her artwork in the U.S. Capitol this year!\u201d\n\n\u201cI am so honored to be chosen as the winner of District 7 Congressional Art Contest,\u201d said winner Victoria Hardin. \u201cI\u2019m excited to represent our diverse district within our nation\u2019s capital. My piece reflects our past as a state, contrasting our prosperous growth and future, on the face of the nation\u2019s youth. I\u2019m thrilled to travel to Washington to connect with fellow artists and have my artwork displayed in the halls of Congress for all to see!\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m so proud of Victoria for her hard work and dedication on her entry into the Congressional Art Competition,\u201d said Hillcrest Visual Art Teacher Ms. Kaitlyn Sarao. \u201cAfter research on symbols for our state, she came up with a composition of sunglasses on the face of America\u2019s youth showing a reflection of the past and a green future ahead! Students like Victoria, who soak up artistic skill and mentorship, make my job so worthwhile! I\u2019m so overjoyed for her success and excited to see where her future takes her!\u201d\n\nHardin\u2019s artwork will be matted, framed, and displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. for one year. She and a guardian will receive roundtrip airfare to Washington D.C. to attend the National Congressional Art Competition Reception.\n\nThe other students that placed were:\n\n2nd Place - \u201cA Ribbon in the Sky\u201d by Kayden Prince, 12th grader at Paul W. Bryant High School in Cottondale, Alabama\n\n3rd Place - \u201cStand, for We Light the Way\u201d by KaNiya Williams, 11th grader at Amelia Love Johnson High School in Thomaston, Alabama\n\n4th Place - \u201cThe Bridge Between Yesterday and Tomorrow\u201d by Ja\u2019Kya Furniss, 12th grader at Huffman High School in Birmingham, Alabama\n\nHonorable Mention - \u201cYou Are Enough\u201d by Kensharie Roy, 11th grader at Minor High School in Adamsville, Alabama\n\nHonorable Mention - \u201cA Self Portrait of Emanuel Garcia\u201d by Emanuel Garcia, 12th grader at Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama\n\nHonorable Mention - \u201cThe Heart Revealed\u201d by Brianna Turner, 11th grader at Demopolis High School in Demopolis, Alabama\n\nMore information on the Congressional Art Competition is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://sewell.house.gov/2025/5/rep-sewell-announces-winner-of-the-2025-congressional-art-competition-for-alabama-s-7th-congressional-district"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9212489239871502, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}