Downey's Melissa Moreno travels to D.C. for opening of art exhibit

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (left) and 2019 Lucille Roybal-Allard Student Art Competition winner Melissa Moreno stand on either side of Ms. Moreno's winning artwork, a gel pen and gold leaf piece titled "Golden Pirouette," currently on display in the U.S. Capitol.

DOWNEY — Downey resident Melissa Moreno, the winner of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s Student Art Competition, visited Washington, D.C. last month to celebrate the opening of a student art exhibit in the Capitol featuring her winning artwork.

Moreno’s gel pen and gold leaf artwork, titled “Golden Pirouette,” is currently on display in the Capitol for one yar, alongside student art from congressional districts across the country.

Roybal-Allard congratulated Moreno on her achievement and joined her for a photograph standing next to her winning artwork.

Moreno was joined on her visit to Washington by her cousin, Cecilia Garcia. During their visit, Moreno and Garcia attended a Capitol reception for this year’s student art competition winner, toured the Capitol, and dined with Roybal-Allard.

As a first place winner, Moreno received roundtrip plane tickets to Washington, D.C. for her and Garcia to attend the art exhibit opening, as well as $500 to pay for expenses on the trip. She also won a $1,000 scholarship and $200 for art supplies.