KHS students shine at Virginia State Fair art competition

Congratulations to Kecoughtan High School students who exhibited their work at the 2025 Virginia State Fair which took place in Doswell, VA, from September 26 to October 5. On October 1, students from the environmental pathway of the Academy of Architecture, Engineering and Environment traveled to Doswell to view their work at the State Fair. The students who participated in the State Fair are members of Kecoughtan’s FFA, which focuses on agriculture and agriculture science. Students were encouraged to participate in the State Fair to showcase their talents while emphasizing agriculture in Virginia.  

Collectively, Kecoughtan students won a total of 55 ribbons, with 23 first place ribbons, 13 second place ribbons, and 19 third and honorable mention ribbons.  

Kinley Thomas and Landon Clark additionally achieved the purple rosette and ribbons for Best in Show.

Congratulations to the following winners and their teachers, Karen Chang and Robin Gordon. 

Claire Benefield - Shoebox Habitat - 2nd Place

Tyeson Bowie – Origami - 1st Place

Naomi Brashier - Flora Design - 1st Place

Logan Brooks - Shoe Box Habitat - 1st Place; Digital Manipulation - 2nd Place; Yard Sign - 1st Place

Neveah Castro - Oil Pastel - 2nd Place

Gianna Christopher - Spray Paint Art - 3rd Place

Landon Clark - Color Still Life - 1st Place and Best In Show

Andy Diep - Color Scenic - 1st Place

Dane Dingeldey - Yard Art - 1st Place; Digital Manipulation - 1st Place

Jerry Dong - Color Pencil Drawing - 3rd Place

Gavin Holbrooks - B/W Human Interest - 3rd Place

Hannah Huff - Trash to Treasure Sculpture - 1st Place; Duct Tape Jewelry - 1st Place

Walter Kelley - Painting By Pet - 1st Place

Breelyn LaPointe - Flora Design - 2nd Place, Veggies Come Alive - 1st Place; Jalapeno Peppers - 1st Place

Olivia McDaniel - Fig Preserves - 1st Place

Emma McVicar - Cookie Bar - 1st Place

Danyl Morman - Virginia Outdoors - 1st Place

Skyla Powell - Pies - 2nd Place

Hannah Quinonez - Culinary Scholarship - Honorable Mention

Bryah Robinson - Shoebox Habitat - 3rd Place

Miley Slatter - Mixed Media - 2nd Place; Yard Art - 2nd Place

Jasmine Smith - Oil/Pastel - 3rd Place

Cailum Speight Smith - Human Interest - 1st Place

Isabella Torres - Painting Drawing - 2nd Place; Fine Arts Scholarship - 7th Place; Mixed Media - 3rd Place; Tempera/Acrylic - 3rd Place; Sewing - 2nd Place; Wood Burning - 3rd Place

Izabella Walker - Human Interest - 3rd Place

Evelyn Clark - Print Making - 3rd Place

Naomi Barber - Sculpture, Clay - 3rd Place

Kinley Thomas - Fiber Art - 3rd Place; Print Making - 1st Place and Best In Show

Basil Maynard - Print Making - 3rd Place

Jessica Bui Cao - Print Making - 2nd Place

Claire Sherwood - Fiber Art - 2nd Place

Connor Francis - Fiber Art - 1st Place

Alex Kocdag - Black White Animal - 1st Place; Virginia Outdoors - 1st Place; Color Animal - 1st Place

Terran Fronberger - Scenic - 2nd Place

Alex Moore - Human Interest - 2nd Place; Black White Still Life - 1st Place

Emely Gonzalez - Fiber Art - 3rd Place

Alex Koshgarian - Sculpture - 3rd Place

Omari Greene - Fiber Art - 3rd Place

Ollie Swoop - Fiber Art - 3rd Place

Liyah Davis - Sculpture, Clay - 2nd place

“I am incredibly proud of all my students for creating artwork for the Virginia State Fair,” said Kecoughtan art teacher Robin Gordon. “Connor Francis and Kinley Thomas made outstanding pieces that earned first place ribbons at the art competition. My students worked hard, tried new ideas, and supported one another every step of the way. Seeing their excitement and confidence grow reminds me why teaching art matters.”

Click here to view a slideshow of the winning artwork.