U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva Visits Ed Pastor Elementary School, Recognizes Student Artists
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva visited Ed Pastor Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to recognize student achievements in the 2026 Mi Comunidad/My Home Congressional Art Competition, honor district art teachers and engage with students at Gadsden Elementary School District No. 32.
During the recognition ceremony, Grijalva honored two district students for their accomplishments in the congressional art competition. Luz Esmeralda Guel Avalos, a sixth-grade student at Rio Colorado Elementary School, earned first place in the grades 3-5 category, while Leah Sofia Aguilar Landey, a third-grade student at Ed Pastor Elementary School, received third place in the same category.
Grijalva also recognized district art teachers Nohemi Beltran, Adriana O'Green, Debra Vasquez and Ichel Quintero for their dedication to arts education and their role in helping students develop their artistic abilities.
The Mi Comunidad/My Home Congressional Art Competition encourages young artists to reflect on their communities and express their perspectives through visual art, celebrating the experiences and cultural identities that shape their lives.
Following the recognitions, Grijalva visited several classrooms, where she interacted with students and answered their questions. The conversations offered students a firsthand opportunity to connect with an elected representative and learn more about public service.
"Having Congresswoman Grijalva visit our school and interact with our students was a meaningful experience for our entire school community," said Ed Pastor Elementary School Principal Maritza Mares. "Opportunities like these encourage our students to ask questions, express themselves and recognize that their voices and ideas matter."
"Education extends beyond academics. It is also about nurturing creativity and building confidence in our students," said Superintendent Lizette Esparza. "We are grateful to Congresswoman Grijalva for recognizing our students' talents and taking the time to engage with them in their classrooms."
"Our students have incredible potential, and we are proud to see their creativity and hard work recognized," said Governing Board President Tadeo A. De La Hoya. "These achievements also reflect the dedication of our educators and the importance of supporting students as they discover and develop their interests."
The visit reflects Gadsden Elementary School District's commitment to providing enriching educational experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, inspire students to explore their interests and encourage them to recognize the difference they can make in their communities and beyond.
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