RiverValley Behavioral Health is proud to announce the winners of our 2026 Youth Mental Health Art Contest. Each year, this project reminds us of the incredible creativity, compassion, and resilience of the young people in our communities.
First and foremost, thank you to every student who participated. Every piece of artwork submitted represented a unique perspective and an important voice in the conversation about mental health. Your willingness to express yourselves through art helps inspire hope, reduce stigma, and encourage others to talk openly about mental wellness.
Congratulations to all of this year’s grade-level winners, finalists, and our Project of the Year recipients! Your creativity, talent, and meaningful messages made this year’s competition truly exceptional. We are honored to celebrate your achievements and share your work with our community.
We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the teachers, schools, homeschool groups, colleges, parents, and community partners who make this program possible year after year. Your support encourages students to use creativity as a way to explore mental health, build resilience, and spark important conversations.
One of the greatest joys of this project is seeing so many students return year after year. Watching their artistic abilities grow alongside their confidence and understanding of mental health is incredibly rewarding, and we are grateful to be part of that journey.
Thank you for making the 2026 Youth Mental Health Art Contest another inspiring success. Together, we are building stronger, healthier communities.
2026 Division Winners:
- Division I (K–4) Project of the Year: Brantley Sharp – Liberty Christian School
- Division II (5–8) Project of the Year: Ollie Howard – North Hancock Elementary School
- Division III (9–12) Project of the Year: Mercy Tanner – Owensboro High School
- Division IV (College) Project of the Year: Hannah McNeiley – Kentucky Wesleyan College
Grade-Level Winners:
- Kindergarten: Eowyn Jarboe – Hawesville Baptist Church Homeschool Co-op
- 1st Grade: Remi Critcheloe – HBC Eagles Homeschool Co-op
- 2nd Grade: Jojo Eckstein – Deer Park Elementary School
- 3rd Grade: Kennedy Nobles – Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School
- 4th Grade: Brantley Sharp – Liberty Christian School (also K–4 Project of the Year)
- 5th Grade: Ollie Howard – North Hancock Elementary School (also 5–8 Project of the Year)
- 6th Grade: Millie Leonard – John Paul II Catholic School
- 7th Grade: Gemma Arnold – College View Middle School
- 8th Grade: Hadlee Brown – Honeycomb Academy (Homeschool)
- 9th Grade: Larken Roach – Apollo High School
- 10th Grade: Mercy Tanner – Owensboro High School (also 9–12 Project of the Year)
- 11th Grade: Natalia Carter – Owensboro High School
- 12th Grade: Chloe Mayes – Union County High School
- College Runner-Up: McKenna Russin – Northern Kentucky University
- College Winner: Hannah McNeiley – Kentucky Wesleyan College (also College Project of the Year)
Additional recognitions include:
- Mental Health Partner of the Year: John Paul II Catholic School
- Dianne McFarling Memorial Award Honoree: Gary Hall – Green River District Health Department
- RVBH Champion: Salem Menze
- Messenger-Inquirer Regional Health Directory Cover Artist: Chloe Mayes
Congratulations to every winner and participant. We can’t wait to see what you create next year!
Published on June 25, 2026