West High Senior Kaylynn Ellis Wins Congressional Art Competition with Powerful Artwork Honoring the Past

Hazelwood West High School senior Kaylynn Ellis is making history—one brushstroke at a time. Recently named the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for her district, Kaylynn’s artwork will be displayed in Washington, D.C., representing her community on a national stage.

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school arts contest sponsored each spring by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. This prestigious Artistic Discovery Contest recognizes and encourages outstanding student talent.

“I was honestly surprised,” Kaylynn shared. “I didn’t go into it thinking I would win, but when I found out, I was like, wow.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide event that recognizes and celebrates artistic talent among high school students. Each district selects one winning piece to represent them, making Kaylynn’s achievement especially significant—she is the only student in the Hazelwood School District to receive this honor this year.

Kaylynn’s award-winning piece is more than visually striking—it tells a powerful story rooted in history and awareness. Inspired by artist Henry Ossawa Tanner and her interest in African American history, Kaylynn created an oil painting centered on a symbolic image: an eye witnessing destruction.

“I wanted to showcase African American struggle and just the lives of African Americans,” she explained. “The goal was… an eye seeing the burning of a town.”

Her work draws inspiration from the Tulsa Race Massacre, a pivotal yet often overlooked moment in American history.

“A lot of people don’t know about stuff like that,” Kaylynn said. “They don’t realize it happened… and it was less than 100 years ago.”

Through her art, she hopes to bridge that gap in awareness while connecting past events to the present. “Everything that happened in history is still relevant today,” she noted.

Interestingly, Kaylynn didn’t originally set out to enter the competition. The piece began as part of an independent study project, where she explored artistic influences and developed her concept over time.

“My teacher was my biggest motivator through all of this,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.”

That encouragement ultimately led to national recognition—and an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.

“I’m definitely very nervous,” Kaylynn admitted. “But I’m excited at the same time. I feel like now I’m a part of history.”

Kaylynn’s accomplishments extend far beyond the art room. She is an honor roll student, enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement courses, with an impressive 4.4 GPA, placing her in the top 5% of her class.

This fall, she will attend Xavier University of Louisiana, where she plans to major in biology on a pre-med track.

“I knew I could thrive there,” she said. “It has a strong program and a real sense of community.”

As she prepares for her next chapter, Kaylynn leaves behind words of encouragement for others:

“Trust your teachers; they always want the best for you. Once you find one who supports you, stick with them—they can take you far.”

Kaylynn attended an opening reception on May 15 at the St. Louis Art Museum, where her artwork will be on display for one month. She will then travel with her parents to Washington, D.C., where her piece will be exhibited in the U.S. Capitol for 11 months alongside winning entries from across the nation.

Kaylynn Ellis represents the very best of Hazelwood West: talent, determination, and a commitment to making an impact. Her journey is a reminder that creativity, when paired with purpose, can reach far beyond the classroom—and all the way to the nation’s capital.