Artwork above – First place winner of the Senior Division: Soyoon Kim
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation has announced the winners of the 2026 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest, an annual competition designed to inspire and engage young people in aviation through artistic expression.
This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” challenged students to imagine how aviation and air sports can help save lives. From delivering food and medicine to fighting wildfires and rescuing people and animals in emergencies, aviation plays a vital role in making the world safer. Students were encouraged to illustrate these life-saving possibilities through their artwork.
“The talent and imagination our students show each year is truly inspiring,” said Nick Short, director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. “The artwork submitted for this year’s contest was exceptional. Through their creativity, these students captured the many ways aviation serves communities and saves lives.”
Participants competed within age-based categories. Winners were selected based on creativity, technical quality and how effectively their artwork reflected this year’s theme. Judges carefully reviewed submissions from across the state, with artwork representing 45 counties and showcasing the incredible talent of students from every corner of North Carolina. The North Carolina Airports Association sponsors the contest and provides cash prizes for state winners and their schools.
2026 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest winners:
Junior (born 2016-2019):
1st – Leia Scarborough of South Mebane Elementary School in Mebane
2nd – Aaron Chen of Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy in Charlotte
3rd – Enya Thomas of First Impressions Academy in Fayetteville
Intermediate (born 2012-2015):
1st – Carolynn Kim of Apex Friendship Middle School in Apex
2nd – Lexi McGrath of Valley Springs Middle School in Arden
3rd – Ellie Yoon of Morris Grove Elementary School Chapel Hill
Senior (born 2008-2011):
1st – Soyoon Kim of Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill
2nd – Avaya Morrison of Elkin High School in Elkin
3rd – Ada Sain of Lincoln Charter School in Lincolnton
The winning art can be viewed on the NCDOT Flickr site.
The top three artists in each age category will advance to the National Aviation Art Contest in Washington, where they will compete for a chance to advance to the international level. Since 2017, 19 North Carolina students have placed in the top three nationally, and three have earned international honors.
