A student from Maywood, Ernesto Ortega, recently won a trip to Washignton, D.C., because of a thought-provoking essay he wrote about the civil war in El Salvador and the impact the violence in that country had on his family.

While in Washington, he stopped to visit with Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles.

A student at Griffith Middle School in East Los Angeles, he was accompanied by his teacher, Lisa Monie-Peralta, and his uncle.

Monie-Peralta submitted his essay to compete in the “Do the Write Thing Challenge,” sponsored by the National Campaign to Stop Violence, a Roybal-Allard aide said.

The challenge focuses on the impact violence has on the daily lives of students, from gangs and drugs to domestic abuse and school yard bullying.

In addition to exposing the causes and impacts of violence, students are asked to identify what they will do to address the problem in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.

Ortega was among approximately 60 middle school students from communities across the United States who participated in the challenge’s National Recognition Week in Washington, D.C. last month.

He concluded his essay by writing: “Violence is a curse upon the world of men. It destroys our society with bloodshed that reflects the crimes and wounds. It is a force that spreads and leaves dead day after day. It has grown to become a serious matter that we cannot ignore.

“If we do not end this violence who will? The decision is in our hands. If we ignore it, we will not realize our mistakes until it is too late. By acting in a swift manner and cooperative way we can stop violence by helping our friends who are possessed by it. We can prevent it by making more alliances, strengthening our security, and try to restore the peace as long as we can.

“There will always be violence, but if we can all contribute by helping those in association with violence before they commit terrible mistakes, violence can diminish once and for all.”