Artwork above – First place winner of the Senior Division: Catherine Park
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation has announced the winners of the 2025 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest, an annual competition designed to inspire and engage young people in aviation through artistic expression.
This year’s contest, themed “Women With Wings,” encouraged students to celebrate the contributions of women in aviation, whether as pilots, skydivers, mechanics or engineers through their artwork. More than 1,000 students submitted entries showcasing historical and imaginative interpretations of aviation’s trailblazing women.
“Aviation has been shaped by countless pioneering women and this year’s theme challenged students to bring their stories to life through art,” said Nick Short, interim director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. “It’s inspiring to see young artists explore aviation’s past while also envisioning its future.”
A panel of judges selected the winners based on creativity, technical quality and adherence to the theme. Judges reviewed this year’s entrants over several weeks. The judges included local art teachers, aviation experts, Gov. Josh Stein and NCDOT employees, including NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins. The North Carolina Airports Association sponsors the contest and provides cash prizes for state winners and their schools.
Participants competed based on age.
2025 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest winners
Junior (born 2015-2018):
- 1st – Kriti Verramachaneni of Triangle Math and Science Academy in Cary
- 2nd – Enya Mei Thomas of First Impressions Academy in Fayetteville
- 3rd – Aeliana Luca-Phillips of Charlotte Preparatory School in Charlotte
- 4th – Otto Wolff of Tiller School Carteret County in Beaufort
Intermediate (born 2011-2014):
- 1st – Megan Moshman of Highland Middle School in Sanford
- 2nd – Carolynn Kim of Apex Friendship Middle School in Apex
- 3rd – Sofia Garcia-Vazquez of Davis Drive Middle School in Cary
- 4th – Evelyn Scarboro of Neuse Charter School in Smithfield
Senior (born 2007-2010):
- 1st – Catherine Parks of Cary Christian School in Cary
- 2nd – Soyoon Kim of Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill
- 3rd – Audrey Song of University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem
- 4th – Ericka Ocampo Miranda of Franklin Academy in Wake Forest
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, 16 North Carolina students have placed in the top three nationally, and three have earned international honors.
