A dozen local students can now call themselves winners of Congressional awards.

On Thursday, a handful of students were awarded for their work in the 36th annual "An Annual Discovery" Congressional Art Competition. The competition was for high school students. 

Christiana Macy, a senior at Grace Christian Academy in Rosamond was named the overall winner for her piece titled, "Life of an Artist". 

Robert Russ, of Bakersfield High School, won the photography competition; Cierra Cole, from Tehachapi High School, won the computer generated category; West High School's Vincent Alcorta won the "all other media" competition. 

In the computer generated category, Eric Cortez from Ridgeview High was the runnerup. 

In photography, Bakersfield High's Javier Salgado finished second, followed by Rachel Hegle of Tehachapi High. Rebekah Price of Tehachapi Valley Oaks Charter School and Madison Soto of Ridgeview High were the category's honorable mentions. 

In the other medium category, Bakersfield High's Sandra Cerna was second, Nicholas Bruhl from Alicia's Art School was third and Daylynn Buntin from Tehachapi High was the honorable mention. 

Bakersfield Congressman and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the winners during a reception Thursday.