Thompson Announces Emma Zacherl, of Clarion County, as Winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson today announced the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner: Emma Zacherl, a sophomore at Clarion-Limestone High School.
Ms. Zacherl, of Clarion, won for her water mixable oils painting, titled “Waiting.” An independent panel of judges selected Ms. Zacherl’s work from 72 entries. Ms. Zacherl also took home the top prize in the 2024 art competition. The winners were announced Saturday during an exhibit at the Winkler Gallery of Fine Art in DuBois, Pa.
“Congratulations to Emma Zacherl on another first-place win in the Congressional Art Competition,” Rep. Thompson said. “Emma is an exceptional artist, and I continue to be impressed by her skills. I look forward to welcoming her again to Washington, D.C. to celebrate this achievement.”
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition.
Ms. Zacherl’s artwork will be displayed in a special exhibit in the U.S. Capitol for one year with winners from each congressional district in the nation. She is invited to attend a reception in Washington, D.C. with other winners, which will take place in June.
2025 Congressional Art Competition Winners:
First Place
NAME: Emma Zacherl
SCHOOL: Clarion-Limestone High School
SUBMISSION: Waiting
HOMETOWN: Clarion, Pa.
TEACHER: Karl Jacobson
Second Place
NAME: Nefeli Dionysiou Karali
SCHOOL: DuBois Area Senior High School
SUBMISSION: Feline Feminism
HOMETOWN: DuBois, Pa.
TEACHER: Cheyenne Kanouff
Third Place
NAME: Madison Ray
SCHOOL: Clarion-Limestone High School
SUBMISSION: Modern Sax
HOMETOWN: Strattanville, Pa.
TEACHER: Kendra Zerbe
Fourth Place
NAME: Kaleb Gooden
SCHOOL: Keystone High School
SUBMISSION: Maturity
HOMETOWN: Shippenville, Pa.
TEACHER: Janet Hockman
