Chiawana Student Named High School Winner of Statewide Youth Art Month Contest

Pasco School District is proud to recognize Jennifer Gil Zavaleta, senior at Chiawana High School, for earning High School Level Winner honors in the 2026 Washington State Youth Art Month Art Contest, a prestigious statewide competition celebrating student creativity and artistic expression.

Jennifer’s artwork was selected from submissions by high school students across Washington State and stood out for its dynamic composition, attention to detail, and powerful representation of Washington’s diversity, culture, and landscapes. The contest theme, “The World Needs Art,” challenged students to reflect both their state and the importance of art in society.

The competition is organized by the Washington Art Education Association, which praised Jennifer’s work for beautifully capturing the spirit of Washington through imagery such as apples, grapes, pears, iconic cities, mountains, and natural scenery—woven together with a message rooted in childhood creativity and imagination.

“When I was younger, art was something I loved making,” Jennifer shared. “I created two children running with art supplies, ready to create art around the world. It represents creativity and how, as kids, we freely expressed ourselves through art while also showing things that relate to the state of Washington.”

Jennifer created her winning piece using a mixed-media approach, combining watercolor as a base, colored pencils for depth, and acrylic markers to bring energy and detail to the artwork.

As the High School Level Winner, Jennifer will receive:

• Inclusion in a statewide press release shared with school districts and media

• A Certificate of Recognition
• Her artwork printed on a flag, poster, or t-shirt
• Feature recognition in Splatter Magazine, the quarterly publication of the Washington Art Education Association
• Recognition on the WAEA website

Jennifer plans to continue pursuing her creativity after graduation by attending trade school to become a cosmetologist, using her artistic skills in a new and meaningful way.

“I’ll always be an artist,” Jennifer said. “Just with different materials. Art will always follow me no matter what I do.”

Pasco School District congratulates Jennifer Gil Zavaleta on this outstanding achievement and celebrates her talent, creativity, and bright future. Her success is a powerful example of how the world truly needs art—and student voices behind it.