Oak Harbor High students sweep top two spots in congressional art contest

Oak Harbor High School students claimed both top spots in the Congressional Art Contest, giving Island County a double win and sending Olivia Hamm’s drawing, Sleepy, to Washington, D.C.

Hamm earned first place Friday, May 1, in a contest that will bring her to an awards ceremony in the nation’s capital. Her artwork will be displayed in the White House Cannon Tunnels, a rare showcase for a student piece from Oak Harbor. Jasper Christopherson finished second with Up close and far away: Isaiah, and Congressman Rick Larsen’s office will display that work in Washington, D.C.

The results came from a strong showing by Oak Harbor High students, who submitted 16 entries across several art programs. That kind of turnout points to more than one standout artist. It suggests a visual arts program with enough depth to produce work that can compete at a congressional level, not just in a single class or one-off project.

The Congressional Art Competition has been running since 1982, and more than 650,000 high school students have taken part nationwide. For the winner of Larsen’s district contest, the prize includes a trip to Washington, D.C., and one year of display in the U.S. Capitol. Second- and third-place finishers receive congratulatory letters and have their artwork shown in district offices closest to them.

Oak Harbor High School’s fine arts department says its students have a long history of excellence in local and nationwide competitions. During the school year, student artwork is displayed at the Oak Harbor Library and the City of Oak Harbor, bringing the school’s creative work into public spaces where neighbors can see it.

This latest success also builds on recent recognition from the district contest. In 2025, Oak Harbor High School’s Tessa Meyer won with Swallow Your Attitude, a piece that had been on display in the U.S. Capitol for the past year. With Hamm now taking first and Christopherson taking second, Oak Harbor High has shown it can turn out consecutive years of congressional-level winners.

The school’s arts page also lists a 2016 Washington State High School Art Show first-place finish and 2023 Scholastics Art & Writing Awards recognition, adding to the picture of a program that has stayed competitive over time. Student reporters Tessa Lang and Nuve Barrera covered the news for the school community, underscoring that this was not just a trophy moment but a point of pride shared by the students themselves.