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KINGSPORT — Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger announced the winners of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Tennessee’s First District in a statement released today.

“I would like to congratulate Savannah Milhorn of West Ridge High School on winning Tennessee’s First District spot in the Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “Savannah receives the honor of having her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building. I would also like to congratulate other participants on their outstanding works of art and thank our judges for their contributions in selecting the winner.”

Savannah Milhorn, a senior at West Ridge High School, entered her drawing titled “A Papaw’s Love” in the art competition. The piece, created with a 9×12 piece of paper and Prismacolor colored pencils, was a heartfelt Christmas gift for her grandfather. The reference photo was taken when she was approximately one year old and in the hospital, capturing the fond memories of her grandfather’s visits.

The winners of the competition are as follows:

• 1st Place: Savannah Milhorn, “Papaw’s Love,” West Ridge High School
• 2nd Place: Analynn Brittingham, “Koi,” Dobyns-Bennett High School
• 3rd Place: Madi White, “The Deep Blue,” Gatlinburg-Pittman High School
• Honorable Mention: Mariah Canfield, “Full Moon,” Jefferson County High School
• Honorable Mention: Tatyanna Loughner, “Hand-in-Candle,” Elizabethton High School

The Art Teacher of the Year award was presented to Alice Fisher of Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.

Congresswoman Harshbarger made the announcement at a reception held on the campus of Northeast State in Blountville.

High school students from East Tennessee in grades 9-12 had the opportunity to participate in the competition, vying for the chance to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year. The winning artwork will be part of an exhibit showcasing the winning pieces from all participating districts across the country, featured on the House.gov Congressional Art Competition page.

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual event held every spring.