Winners of 2026 Student Water Art Contest Announced

WOODBRIDGE, VA, March 19, 2025 — On Wednesday, March 18, Prince William Water recognized 26 local high school students during its 2026 Water Art Invitational Awards Ceremony. Hosted at Unity Reed High School, the event was attended by student artists, their families, teachers and event sponsors.

This year’s competition received 176 entries in painting/drawing, computer graphics and photography from students representing 12 high schools in Prince William County and the City of Manassas Park. The theme for this year’s competition, "One Water,” highlights the connection between water and life; no matter who we are, where we live or what we do, water connects us all. 

“Seeing the incredible creativity and passion of these students is always astounding,” said Prince William Water General Manager/CEO Calvin D. Farr Jr., P.E. “The artistic talent, coupled with the significance of the theme, made for some truly meaningful artwork this year.”

Click here to view the award-winning student artwork. https://Prince-William-Water.dcatalog.com/v/Water-Art-Invitational-Winners/

Anika Balaji of Colgan High School earned the Joyce P. Eagles Grand Prize for her vibrant depiction of the waters of India. Her family’s connection and deep cultural roots brought this exceptional piece to life in the eyes of the judges and ceremony attendees. 

Winning students and their teachers received cash prizes, courtesy of the event sponsors. Each winning piece of art will be framed and displayed in Prince William Water facilities and featured in a Water Art Invitational wall calendar for 2027.

2026 Water Art Invitational Winners

Joyce P. Eagles Grand Prize Winner:

Anika Balaji, Colgan High School

Painting & Drawing:

First Place: Kasen Pitts, Colgan High School

Second Place: Taniah R. Green, Gainesville High School

Third Place: Alyssa Komlos, Forest Park High School

Computer Graphics:

First Place: Ayushna Subedi, Gainesville High School

Second Place: Clara Nguyen, Unity Reed High School

Third Place: Jadie Dunham, Battlefield High School

Photography:

First Place: Bryann-Evita Montenegro Pablo, Forest Park High School

Second Place: Lincoln Buer, Colgan High School

Third Place: Tristin Huh, Forest Park High School

General Manager’s Awards:

Naiya Alexander, Forest Park High School

Nazir Gayles, Hylton High School

Meg Gerbracht, Colgan High School

Kenneth Fish, Battlefield

Kylie Stice, Colgan High School

Arwa Zinddine, Gar-Field High School

Allie Huurman, Brentsville High School

 Abdiel Russel Kamgaing, Forest Park High School

Daniela Cuadros, Manassas Park High School

Jasmine Silvera-Rengifo, Woodbridge High School

Kailyn Zaragoza, Patriot High School

Samuel Diaz, Potomac High School

Josue Aleman, Hylton High School

Jadyn Gibbs, Gar-Field High School

Odette Curtis, Colgan High School

Caroline Drunasky, Woodbridge High School

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Prince William Water has been providing drinking water and water reclamation services to Prince William County since 1983.