On Tuesday, Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, with all three top honors going to students from Schuylkill Haven Area High School.
The annual nationwide contest offers high school students a chance to showcase their artistic talent, with first-place entries displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
This year’s first-place winner is Arianna Yule, an 11th-grade student at Schuylkill Haven, for her piece titled "The Barn". Her artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be seen by thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Second place was awarded to senior Heidi Stone for "Mountain Scene", which will be exhibited in Congressman Meuser’s Washington, D.C. office. Third place went to fellow senior Sarah Tiver for "Chalet", which will be displayed in Meuser’s Pottsville District office.
Art teacher Luke Ott, who has led the program since 2009, played a role in cultivating the students’ talents. A 2004 graduate of Blue Mountain High School and 2008 graduate of Kutztown University, Ott is also an accomplished ceramic artist. He operates his own home studio and has exhibited his work nationally and internationally, including recent appearances in the Strictly Functional Pottery National and the International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Fine Craft in both 2023 and 2024.
“Congratulations to Arianna Yule on her first-place entry—your talent and creativity stood out among many strong submissions,” said Congressman Meuser. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to have your work displayed in the U.S. Capitol. I also want to commend Heidi Stone and Sarah Tiver for their exceptional entries and thank all the students who participated this year. Special recognition goes to art teacher Luke Ott, whose impressive program at Schuylkill Haven High School continues to foster outstanding young talent.”
The announcement followed an art show hosted by Congressman Meuser’s office at the Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven on April 24, 2024, where 16 students from across Pennsylvania’s Ninth District showcased their work.
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| 1st Place: "The Barn" |
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| 2nd Place: "Mountain Scene" |
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| 3rd Place: "Chalet" |