A quiet moment of prayer has become a powerful message about the future of America.
Xinzi “Ayla” Wang, a 10th grader at Manhasset High School, has been named the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s Third District, hosted by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi. Her piece,“PrayerforPeace,”earned first place among 71 submissions from 34 high schools and will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year alongside student works from across the country.
For Ayla, who moved to the United States from Lanzhou, China, just two years ago, the competition’s theme, America’s 250th anniversary, was both a history lesson and a personal reflection.
“It’s not only about looking back at history, but also looking ahead,” she said. “Especially for young people, there should be more hope for better education and a better life.”
That forward-looking vision is at the heart of her painting. A young girl stands in quiet devotion, hands clasped, as doves circle above, symbols of purity, hope and peace. The girl represents the younger generation, Ayla said, while the gesture of prayer expresses a wish for unity in a world marked by conflict and division.
Ayla completed the piece over the course of a week, first sketching ideas digitally before bringing them to life on canvas. She has studied art for a decade, following in the footsteps of her grandparents, both artists.
Winning the competition came as a surprise and in a moment that underscored her role navigating two worlds.
She was on her way to school when her teacher called her mother with the news. Because her mother does not speak English, Ayla translated the call in real time from the passenger seat.
“I was so excited,” she said. “It’s a huge honor. It makes me want to create more.”
Her art teacher, Lori Oldaker, said Ayla’s work stands out not only for its technical skill but for its perspective.
Source: LI Press
