Washington, D.C., May 3, 2010 – The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) announced the 2010 International Aviation Art Contest winners during the international judging last week in Naples, Italy. U.S. students swept the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place honors in the Junior Category for students ages 6-9. This year’s theme "Flying with the Sun" garnered participation from several countries including China, Czech Republic, France, India, Japan, Mongolia, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.
The international winners are:
Junior Category (Ages 6-9):
1st : Rachel Rhee – California, USA
2nd : Ashley Ho – California, USA
3rd : Nolan Riggin – New Mexico, USA
Intermediate Category (Ages 10-13):
1st : Zeynep Yücekaya – TUR
2nd : Soumyajit Bagchi – IND
3rd : Angelina Veresovaya – RUS
Senior Category (Ages 14-17):
1st : Makiko Tamada – JPN
2nd : Zhu Wei – CHN
3rd : Seigo Sasaki – JPN
Following the annoncement of international winners NASAO President Henry Ogrodzinksi remarked "the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education has proudly managed this contest for the National Aeronautic Association for many years. It is always a privilege to bring these extraordinary young artists to the attention of the wonderful world of aviation."
The contest sponsored by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), is designed to motivate and encourage young people of FAI member nations to become familiar with and participate in aeronautics, engineering, and science. The official awards ceremony is October 7, 2010 in Dublin, Ireland during 104th FAI General Conference.
The national contest, administered and sponsored by NASAO and sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association, was held earlier this year in March at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.