McClellan Announces Winners of 2026 Black History Month Essay Contest

Richmond, Va. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the winners of the 2026 Black History Month Essay Contest: David Gaitho, a sophomore attending Brunswick High School, and Anivarth Vallem, an eighth grader attending Midlothian Middle School.

The Black History Month Essay Contest in Virginia's Fourth Congressional District seeks to encourage reflection, awareness and analysis of Black history among middle and high school students. As our nation reckons with its complicated past and the ways that legacy continues to affect us today, this year's contest asked middle school students to write about student activist Barbara Rose Johns and high school students to write about Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History."

"As we look back on Black History Month, I enjoyed reading through these essays and hearing the perspectives of students across our district on why Black history matters and how we can continue to share stories that often go untold," said Congresswoman McClellan. "Congratulations to this year's winners, and thank you to everyone who submitted an essay. To share your writing is a vulnerable thing, and I am blown away by the thoughtfulness and reflections shown here. Great work!"

McClellan also named the following winners:

• Second Place: Aniyah Morganfrom Charles City High School | Jackson Normanfrom Albert H. Hill Middle School
• Third Place: Serine Ohfrom Maggie Walker Governor's School | Elianna Briceno Chacon from Lucille M. Brown Middle School

The winning essays will be entered into the Congressional Record.

Read the winning submissions hereand here.