Sophia Pineda is a young woman with a passion for art, music, self-advocacy, and the people around her. She is a junior at James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Sophia also happens to have Down syndrome and has overcome numerous health and developmental challenges in her life. For many years, Sophia struggled with speech and making herself understood. Art captured her imagination and has become a way to express herself. She loves to experiment with color and shape through her drawings and Chinese watercolor painting. She brings an infectious sense of joy, humor, and exuberance to her art.