WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement announcing the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in California’s 22nd Congressional District. The winning entry, titled July 7, 2012, is a mixed-media piece created by Emily Romero, an 11th-grade student at Hanford High School. Last week, Congressman Valadao called Emily to congratulate her on her achievement. 

“Congratulations to Emily Romero of Hanford High School on her winning entry, and thank you to all the talented students across California’s 22nd Congressional District who shared their artwork,” said Congressman Valadao. “Emily’s piece, July 7, 2012, beautifully captures the spirit of a local county fair while celebrating the enduring traditions of classic Americana, which are especially meaningful as we approach America’s 250th anniversary. I look forward to seeing her work each time I walk through the U.S. Capitol.”

July 7, 2012, by Emily Romero

The winning entry, July 7, 2012, by Emily Romero of Hanford High School, is a mixed media piece utilizing colored pencil and marker depicting a child riding the merry-go-round at the fair. This piece will be hung in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning entries from congressional districts across the country for one year. Emily will also be invited to visit Washington, D.C. to attend a reception sponsored by the Congressional Institute, which hosts the annual competition.

Elidia, by Albert Garcia

The People’s Choice winner, selected by popular vote, is Elidia, a black-and-white photograph by Albert Garcia, a 12th-grade student at Del Oro High School in Bakersfield. The image portrays Albert’s abuela, Elidia, capturing a quiet Christmas Eve moment as she shares a story in the warmth of their home. Behind her, photographs of La Virgen and her husband add context to the memory and personal history reflected in the scene.

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