Lynwood – Five exemplary Lynwood high students took home recent victories in the Congressional Art Competition and earned an art and design scholarship, highlighting Lynwood Unified’s exceptional visual and performing arts (VAPA) program.

Lynwood High School senior Evelyn Granados earned the top prize in the 44th District Congressional Art Competition for her work, “Love is Love.” Honorable mentions for the contest went to Lynwood High seniors Emily Medrano, Miguel Sanchez and Malaysia West.

“I couldn’t believe that I won because I saw the quality of work on my peers’ pieces,” Granados said. “For my piece, I was inspired by protest art and I wanted to show in a positive light people demonstrating strength to fight for what is right.”

Using images from the Women’s March and Black Lives Matter, Granados took more than a month to create a layered piece that depicts equality and togetherness. The painting will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year and will compete nationally with high school winners from other congressional districts across the country.

Granados and her older sister will attend the opening reception of the Congressional Art Exhibit later this month in Washington D.C., with airfare and accommodation provided. Sponsored by the Congressional Institute since 1982, the national art competition recognizes and encourages artistic talent among high schoolers.

“We believe in nurturing a community of artists at Lynwood High School and across the District,” Lynwood High School art teacher Luis Vega said. “Lynwood Unified has been recognized for its commitment to arts education and its top-quality programs, and these achievements come through in student success.”

Katherine Espinoza, a visual art student from Vista High School, was awarded the Otis College of Art and Design Scholarship to attend the college’s Summer of Art program. Espinoza earned the $5,300 scholarship for her high-quality portfolio and academic performance in artworxLA – a nonprofit organization that combats the high school dropout rate by creatively engaging students with alternative arts education.

“This is a really cool opportunity for me to spend my summer learning about different art tools and techniques,” said Espinoza, who hopes to pursue a career in animation.

Summer of Art, a pre-college program, helps students strengthen and enhance art and design skills over the course of four weeks through hands-on studio work and personalized classes. The scholarship will include cost of tuition, fees, room and board.

“We are very proud of our students for earning these commendable titles and awards,” Lynwood Unified Board President Alfonso Morales said. “Our teachers are so supportive of our students and they create an environment in which our students can blossom.”

As part of fostering a well-rounded VAPA program, Lynwood Unified offers an array of courses in areas that range from graphic design and art history to ceramics and theater arts.

“We strongly support enhancing and strengthening the arts in Lynwood by promoting a variety of classes and opportunities for our students to explore their artistic talents,” LUSD Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “Our visual and performing arts program has continued to flourish because of the dedication of our talented teachers and staff.”

PHOTO CAPTION

LUSD_VISTA_ART_SCHOLARSHIP: Katherine Espinoza (center), a visual art student from Vista High School, was awarded the Otis College of Art and Design Scholarship to attend the college’s Summer of Art program. Espinoza earned the $5,300 scholarship for her high-quality portfolio and academic performance. She is pictured with Lynwood Unified Superintendent Gudiel Crosthwaite (left) and Cynthia Campoy Brophy, founder of artworxLA (right).