Press Releases

Randolph, VT – On Friday, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. This year, 100 high school students from 12 counties and 28 schools across Vermont sent in artwork for submission to the annual competition. This year’s art show marks the 44th anniversary of the competition that Vermont’s then-Congressman James Jeffords began in 1982.  

This year’s winner from Vermont is Xinyi Cassy Pan, a sophomore at Lyndon Institute in Lyndon Center, Vermont. Xinyi’s teacher is Elly Barksdale. Her art will be on display with other 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners in the US Capitol.  

“The Congressional Art Competition provides a unique opportunity to bring together young artists to share their work and showcase the talent across our state’s high schools,” said Rep. Balint. “I’m so thankful to represent a state that values and celebrates contributions to the arts and arts education. As a former teacher, as a mom, as a writer, I know how important it is to foster creativity, a love of the arts in our students, and to make it a continued priority in schools.” 

“I want to congratulate Xinyi for receiving the Grand Prize for her piece ‘Awakening Through New Eyes’ in this year's Congressional Art Competition. I’m so impressed by her work, and I look forward to seeing a piece of Vermont every day in the US Capitol,” continued Rep. Balint.  

In addition to the Grand Prize Winner, awards were given to the following students: 

County Winners: 

·         Addison County - Lola Rollins “.5”, Vergennes Union High School – Teacher: Anna Macijski 

·         Bennington County – Willa Seo “Host Father”, Burr and Burton Academy – Teacher: Anharad Llewelyn 

·         Caledonia County – Jenna Thomas “Papa’s Garden”, Lyndon Institute – Teacher: Elly Barksdale 

·         Chittenden County – Jacklyn Whittier “Hideaway”, Champlain Valley Union High School – Teacher: Jason Fearon 

·         Franklin County – Ryah Whitehead “A Moment of Joy”, Enosburg Falls High School – Teacher: Sabrina Bolduc 

·         Lamoille County – Adam Lewis “Hat Day”, Stowe High School – Teacher: Carleen Zimbalatti 

·         Orange County – Caroline Watts “Sick Day”, Thetford Academy – Teacher: Karyn Neubauer 

·         Orleans County – Morgan Breitenbach “Flower Garden”, Lake Region Union High School – Teacher: Stephanie Harper 

·         Rutland County: Carmen Decato “Fighting for Survival”, Stafford Technical Center – Teacher: Karen Kysar 

·         Washington County: Knives Dryfoos “Just Dance”, U-32 High School – Teacher: Kristine Chartrand 

·         Windham County: Jada Wood “Cards”, Leland and Gray Union High School – Teacher: Emily Mulcrone 

·         Windsor County: Jonah Libens-Mavodones “Lost in Those Deceptively Small Keys”, Hartford High School – Teacher: Patrick Kelly 

Thematic Winner:  

·         Eva Fewell “Little Moments”, Champlain Valley Union High School – Teacher: Jason Fearon 

People’s Choice Winner:  

·         Clark Clark “A Spot at the Table”, Champlain Valley Union High School – Teacher: Emily McLean 

Judge’s Choice Winners: 

·         Nikolai Stonorov “Raw Hemmed”, Montpelier High School – Teacher: Colleen Flanagan 

·         Sage Wyndorf “I Spotted-Touch-Me-Not!”, Burlington Technical Center – Teacher: Ashley Stagner 

·         Clark Clark “A Spot at the Table”, Champlain Valley Union High School – Teacher: Emily McLean 

To see a gallery of the student artwork, please visit: https://balint.house.gov/services/submit-artwork.htm  

Photos attached of Xinyi Cassy Pan and Congresswoman Balint and of her artwork. Courtesy of the Office of Rep. Becca Balint.