MHS’s Kennedy Newsome Wins 2025 Congressional Art Competition
Kennedy Newsome, a freshman at Marianna High School, is bringing a piece of Jackson County to the nation’s capital after being named one of the winners in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.
Her winning piece, a detailed drawing of Marianna’s historic Russ House, will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside other selected student artwork from across the country. The Russ House, a 100-year-old landmark, now serves as Jackson County’s official visitor center and is a beloved symbol of the local community.
Kennedy received the exciting news during a congratulatory phone call from Congressman Neal Dunn, who represents Florida’s Second Congressional District.
“You submitted a piece of artwork for the congressional art competition this year, and I must say I jumped at it when I saw the sketch here,” Dunn told her. “I said, ‘Oh my God, I know that place.’ It is a beautiful, beautiful rendering of the Russ House. I’m so pleased. And you won. You are the winner.”
Overjoyed by the recognition, Kennedy said, “I’m really honored to have this opportunity. I know it means a lot. And I’m glad that I got picked out of everybody in the district. I’m really excited to represent my community.”
Kennedy is one of the youngest students from Marianna High School ever to receive the honor. Her art instructor, Dr. Jerri Benton, expressed pride in the achievement.
“I was pretty excited for her, especially being a ninth grader,” Benton said. “We’ve had some winners in the past, but they’re usually seniors. So, for her to do this once again as a ninth grader, it really lit me up because I haven’t had that happen before with a student. I see great things for her, and I feel fortunate to be able to work with her.”
In 2018, Madison Retherford, a junior at MHS at that time, was a 2018 Congressional Art Competition recipient.
Kennedy and her family will travel to Washington, D.C. in June, where she will see her artwork displayed in one of the most iconic buildings in the country. While in the capital, she will join other winners from across the nation for the annual Congressional Art Competition awards ceremony.
