**Aubrey Alcoy’s “Violence Against Women” won first place in Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard’s congressional art competition.**

DOWNEY – Aubrey Alcoy, a senior at St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy, won first place in Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s annual student art competition.

The competition accepts submissions from high school student artists who live in the 40th District. Seventy-six student artists competed this year.

Alcoy won for her piece “Violence Against Women,” created with graphite pencils and gouache watercolor paint on stretched canvas. Her instructor is Gabriela Arreola.

Jadyen Arana, a senior at Downey High School, won second place for her work “There’s Hope,” created with watercolor, pen, newspaper, and acrylic paints. Her instructor is Darrelle Nikaj.

Litzy Loza, a junior at Downey High School, received an honorable mention for her work “Guidance,” created with acrylic paints, color pencils, lead pencil, ink pens, watercolors, gel pens, sharpies, and scrap pieces of printed texts. Loza’s instructor is Yvette Puente.

The people’s choice award winner was Adara Gonzales, also a junior at Downey High School and student of Yvette Puente, for her work “A Nostalgic Fantasy.”

**“A Nostalgic Fantasy” by Adara Gonzales.**

All 76 entries submitted for the art competition were judged on originality, technical skill, artistic presentation, and the use of color and contrast.

For winning first place, Aubrey Alcoy will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a $200 gift card for art supplies, a trip to Washington, DC, for herself and a parent to attend the Congressional Art Institute’s National Exhibit Opening and $500 for travel expenses.

She will have her entry displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, while the other winning students will have their artwork displayed in Rep. Roybal-Allard’s District Office in Commerce.

Additionally, 500 posters featuring Alcoy’s Violence Against Women will be printed and copies will be distributed to schools and community organizations throughout the 40th Congressional District to inspire other young artists to participate in next year’s competition.

Jadyen Arana will receive a $750 scholarship and a $175 gift card for art supplies.

Litzy Loza and Adara Gonzalez will each receive a $250 scholarship and a $125 gift card for art supplies. Each winner’s school will receive a gift card ranging from $200 to $500 to purchase supplies to advance their art program.

Schools with five or more entries will receive a $100 gift card for art supplies.

“Each year, it’s an honor and a joy to celebrate the work of our student artists at my annual art competition,” said Rep. Roybal-Allard. “Each entry is worthy of recognition and appreciation, and we are grateful to all participants for their willingness to express themselves through art and share their talent with our communities.

“To every one of them, I offer my most sincere appreciation and congratulations.

Downey students victorious in congressional art contest