A World War II love story inspired a local student's award-winning sketch that will soon hang in the nation's capital.

Johnny Reyes, a recent Hanford West High School graduate, won first place for the 20th congressional district in the 2008 Congressional Art Competition. Winners were announced at an April 25 reception hosted by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno. Reyes' artwork, along with that of winners from other districts, will be displayed for one year -- beginning next week -- in the corridor tunnel of the Cannon House Office Building leading to the United States Capitol.

"My legs were shaking because I was nervous," Reyes said as he recalled winning the competition. "I've never really won anything big like that before."

Reyes' artwork was created in Ellice Blevins' art class at Hanford West, and it is a tribute to his grandfather, Lawrence Valdez, who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The sketch, which Reyes titled "Thinking of You," was based on a photo of Valdez taken in Japan in 1945 -- when Valdez was 19.

In April of that year, Valdez served with the 17th Army Infantry Division in the battle for Okinawa. He was among the first soldiers to land in Japan and he later joined the 11th Airborne Division in Hokkaido, Japan. He earned numerous service awards, including the Bronze Star, which he received 62 years after his service. But at the time the photo was taken, his thoughts were of home.

Valdez sent the photo to his then-girlfriend, Carmen Resendez, whom he later married. The drawing includes a handwritten love note from Valdez to his future wife, which Reyes had found behind the old photo.

"I was just looking through photos and it caught my eye," Reyes said. "I've always wanted to do a drawing of him."

Reyes added that in recent years, his grandfather has become his close friend and role model.

Southwest Airlines donated plane tickets for Reyes, his mother and his grandfather to make the trip across the country next week for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the art display. A local company, E.C. Nelson, donated funds for accommodations during the trip, which will be Reyes' first time leaving California.

"It makes me overwhelmed," said Reyes' mother, Candy Valdez, of her reaction to her son's award-winning art. "It was such a blessing to our family."

Lawrence Valdez, Reyes' grandfather, first saw the sketch when he visited the Fresno Art Museum with Reyes in late April -- a few days after it was declared the winner. Valdez had no idea his grandson's art featured him.

"He was shocked," Candy Valdez said. "There were tears in his eyes. All of this has been a great experience."

Valdez agreed that the sketch of himself at a young age came as a "complete surprise."

Blevins said about half a dozen of her students submitted artwork for the competition against students from Kings, Kern and Fresno counties.

"I knew he was going to win because they kept calling my classroom," Blevins said. "It couldn't have happened to a nicer kid."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(June 18, 2008)