Graphic of art and student winners

Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School senior Anika Balaji took home the grand prize at the 2026 Prince William Water Water Art Invitational, while other high school students from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) received top honors at the event held recently at Unity Reed High School.  

Students representing 12 high schools submitted 176 creative photographs, paintings, drawings, and computer graphic pieces for the event. The theme, “One Water,” emphasized the connection between water and life; no matter who we are, where we live, or what we do, water connects us all. 

Earning the Joyce P. Eagles Grand Prize for her artwork depicting the waters of India, Balaji said she was inspired by the opportunity to pay homage to her culture.   

“I’m very excited—I put a lot of work and time into this,” Balaji said. “I liked the idea of trying to embed my culture into my art. In assignments, I don’t necessarily get the chance to show off my culture, but in this, I got to do it—so that was nice.”  

Congratulations to the winners:  

Joyce P. Eagles Grand Prize Winner:  

Anika Balaji, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School 

Painting & Drawing:  

  • First Place: Kasen Pitts, Charles J. Colgan Sr. 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, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School  
  • Third Place: Tristin Huh, Forest Park High School  

General Manager’s Awards:  

  • Naiya Alexander, Forest Park High School  
  • Nazir Gayles, C.D. Hylton High School 
  • Meg Gerbracht, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School 
  • Kenneth Fish, Battlefield High School  
  • Kylie Stice, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School 
  • Arwa Zinddine, Gar-Field High School  
  • Allie Huurman, Brentsville District High School  
  • Abdiel Russel Kamgaing, Forest Park High School  
  • Jasmine Silvera-Rengifo, Woodbridge High School  
  • Kailyn Zaragoza, Patriot High School  
  • Samuel Diaz, Potomac High School  
  • Josue Aleman, C.D. Hylton High School 
  • Jadyn Gibbs, Gar-Field High School  
  • Odette Curtis, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School 
  • Caroline Drunasky, Woodbridge High School  

Take a virtual walk through the 2026 Water Art Invitational winners gallery to view the artwork of the student artists. 

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.