Alexia De Costa, a seventh-grader at Queen of Apostles School in
Alexandria and an avid artist, won first place at the diocesan level for
Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s Creating on the Margins art contest
this year.
De Costa’s painting, titled “Sharing the Journey of Young
Migrants and Refugees,” depicts the importance of meeting the basic needs of
migrants and refugees and addresses the root causes of the problems they face.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge met with De Costa and her family to
talk about her art and presented her with a cash prize. He thanked her for
using her God-given talents to help others.
Her piece also won an honorable mention from the national CCHD
organization, which awarded her a cash prize and a grant to benefit a
charitable organization of her choice. She selected Pathway Homes in Fairfax,
which provides permanent housing for those struggling with mental illness.
