Downey High junior wins third place in congressional art competition

Third place winner Kimberly Peña (sixth from left) holds her photograph titled “A Night” with Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (fourth from right).  Kimberly is joined by members of her family, as well as Downey Mayor Pro Tem Sean Ashton (far left), Kimberly’s instructor Ronda Cordova (second from left), Downey Unified school board member Nancy Swenson (third from right), Downey High School assistant principal Allan Tyner (second from right), and Citadel Outlets representative Traci Markel (far right).

DOWNEY – Kimberly Peña, a Downey High School senior, won third place in Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s 24th annual student art competition. 

“Once again, the students in this competition have displayed their great artistic talents by producing a range of striking and memorable works,” said Roybal-Allard (CA-40).  “I am so pleased to celebrate these students’ talents by serving as the honorary chair of this competition. The willingness of these students to share their art and their feelings with our community are what keep this competition going year after year. 

“I thank them for making us so proud.”

Peña won third place for her photograph titled “A Night.” Her instructor is Ronda Corodva. 

For winning third place, she wins a $500 scholarship and $150 for art supplies. 

This year’s first place winner was Rebeka Martinez, a senior at Paramount High School, for her graphite, charcoal, and acrylic piece titled “Light That Never Goes Out.” 

Noah Endo, a junior at Paramount High School, won second place for “The Monster of Many Forms,” created with ink pen, marker, and Prismacolor pencil.  Juan R. Navarro is the instructor for both students.

Léana Perez, a Paramount High School senior, won Honorable Mention for Behind the Art, an image using charcoal and chalk.  Her instructor is Juan R. Navarro.

The People’s Choice Award winner was Adamarys Estrada, a Dr. Maya Angelou High School sophomore, for her pastel and pencil artwork titled “Light in the Depths of Darkness.”  Her instructor is Valerie Davidson.

The 136 entries submitted for the art competition were judged on originality, technical skill, artistic presentation, and use of color and contrast.