Once again, the Hughston Foundation collaborated with Harris County High School Work Based Learning Program to offer the Eighth Annual Art Gala Competition and Exhibition. High school and middle school students (5th – 12th grades) throughout Georgia were invited to submit biologically or medically inspired entries under drawing, painting, photography, 3D, mixed media or multidisciplinary categories to the competition. The gala was held November 13, at 7:00 pm at the Hughston Foundation.
This year, administration, teachers, students, and parents attended the exhibition of 165 entries both in-person and online. The furthest submission came from Calhoun County High School in Calhoun, GA, and overall 21 schools and organizations were represented. For this competition, the Hughston Clinic proudly supported the top 6 STEAM awards presented to the first through third middle school and high school entries for a total of $5,000 in scholarship prizes. Additionally, the Georgia Healthcare Science Technology Education Foundation sponsored four $250 awards for Careers in Medicine winners. Also presented were three Dr. Champ Baker, Jr., Best Anatomical Awards for a total of $1250, one for a 2D and two for 3D entries. David Rehak, MD, presented two Best-Hand Picked Awards for $250 for both high school and middle school entries. Derek Woessner, MD sponsored two awards, The Gayle Woessner Sports Medicine Award and The Hughston Mental Awareness Award both for $250. Additionally, a $1,000 Columbus State University (CSU) scholarship was awarded to the top junior or senior winner. John Turba, MD., again sponsored the Honorary Media Awards.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners:
STEAM Awards
The 6 STEAM Awards were presented (First Place = $1,250, Second Place = $750, Third Place = $500) based on the top 3 scores for Middle School aged student, 5th – 8th grades, and the top 3 highest scores for High School aged student, 9th – 12th grades.
The Middle School STEAM Award winners
First place: Cici Herndon & Benson Smith – “Twisted Beauty”
(This is the first year we have had a piece done by multiple artists)
Second place: Riley Ann Barfield – “My Heart in Art”
Third place: Shravya Nayak – “Reaching Towards Life”
The High School STEAM Award Winners
First Place: Reese Stephan – “The Thinking Box”
Second place: Reilly Lopez – “Precision”
Third place: Chance Perkins – “untitled”
Careers in Medicine Award
This year, 4 high school pieces were selected, rather than just 2, and announced in alphabetical order.
High School Award: Ally Burnsed – “Inner View“
High School Award: Harmony Culver – “Dreams“
High School Award: Adriana Llanos – “Magnified“
High School Award: Samuelle Saint-Joie – “Eternal”
Champ Baker Best Anatomical Award
Anatomical 2D Award: Khalil Grant – “Ruminatory Objection”
Anatomical 1st Place 3D Award: Ara Kiddy – “Not Yours”
Anatomical 2nd Place 3D Award: Reese Stephan – “The Thinking Box”
(This is the first year that two 3D pieces have been selected)
Dr. David Rehak Best Hand-Picked Award
Middle School Award: Layla Greene – “Drawing What I am”
(This is also another first; Layla was a hand-picked award winner last year)
High School Award: Chance Perkins – “untitled“
The Gayle Woessner Sports Medicine Award
Cambrie Winkles – “Challenge Accepted”
The Hughston Mental Awareness Award
Swara Warke – “The effect of negative thoughts”
CSU Scholarship
The Department of Art offers a $1,000 scholarship. The student must qualify for admission to CSU and must enroll at CSU with a major or minor degree. The student must remain in good academic standing for the duration of the award period. CSU credits the award to the student’s CSU account and divides it over the first semester of full-time enrollment.
Columbus State University’s Department of Art $1,000 scholarship.
Reilly Lopez – “Precision”
Honorary Media Awards
Drawing
Middle School – Gracie Young – “Cardiology”
High School – Shayla Haynes – “Bicuspid Valve Disease”
Painting
Middle School – Olivia Herbek – “Leukemia Treatment”
High School – Karma Andrews – “Bones”
Mixed Media
Middle School – Alice Dong – “Two Ways to Fly”
High School – Asher Ogden – “Floral remains”
3D
Middle School – Kona Cogle – “Bloody Heart”
High School – Aleisha McMurtry – “Heart of Glass”
Digital
Middle School – none
High School – Mariana Rodriguez Ledesma – “Peeking In”
Photography
Middle School – none
High School – Abbie McMurtry – “Suture Process”
Multidisciplinary – an illustration and 3D pieces
Middle School – none
High School – Alyssa Ramirez – “Anatomical Brain”
Best of Show: Sponsored by the Bo Bartlett Center and Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital
The top middle and high school students who win the online popular vote will have their artwork displayed at the Bo Bartlett Center (921 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901) for approximately a month. An opening will be held at the Bo Bartlett Center on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5:30 pm to recognize these students. Each Best of Show winners were also presented with $500 from Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital who sponsored the awards.
Best in Show awards
Middle School – Cici Herndon & Benson Smith – “Twisted Beauty”
High School – Reilly Lopez – “Precision”
The Hughston Foundation would like to thank Gary Johannes, the Harris County High School Work Based Learning Program Director, and the many school administrators for their support. We would also like to thank the Hughston Clinic, Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital, Hughston physicians, and the Bo Bartlett Center, as well as the teachers throughout the state of Georgia who support their students during this competition.
The Hughston Foundation Art Gala for the Biologically Inclined is perfect for students who would like to unmask the exciting world of art and science. This biological and medically inspired art contest encourages students to create artwork while integrating the principle areas of the national STEAM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). For more information about the Art Gala, go to hughston.com or contact Belinda Klein at bklein@hughton.com.
Last edited on August 27, 2026