WASHINGTON (May 7, 2025) – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that Cole Ritter, a senior at Southside High School in Youngsville, has won the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Louisiana’s 3rd District.
Cole’s artwork, “La Dame Blanche Du Bayou,” or The White Lady of the Bayou, is a colored pencil drawing of a Great Egret. The bird is standing as the sunrise filters through the trees and reflects a palette of oranges and greens in the foliage above the swamp.
“Cole is an extremely gifted young man, and his artwork is a testament to his skill and creativity,” said Congressman Clay Higgins. “His art captures the beauty of Louisiana’s bayous. Cole is a talented artist, and it is an honor to have his work displayed in the U.S. Capitol.”
About the Congressional Art Competition:
Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors an art competition for high school students. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition.
