Winners announced for museum's national writing competition award Published April 25, 2013 By Sarah Swan National Museum of the U.S. Air Force DAYTON, Ohio -- Ryan Dickerson, Isaiah Markley and Deborah Rocheleau were announced as the first, second and third place winners, respectively, of the Air Force Heritage and History Writing Competition, sponsored by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Tess Green, Caleb Van Winkle and Megan Chappie received honorable mentions. This was the third year for the competition, which was open to public, private school or homeschool students between the ages of 13-18. The research questions for this year's competition were as follows: Women have been involved in the Army Air Corp/Air Force for many years. Write a brief history about the inclusion of women in this branch of military. You must include the names and roles of four key female figures involved in Air Force history. Why is the inclusion of women significant to the contributions of the U.S. Air Force? How has the involvement of women helped to transform the Air Forces' inclusiveness as a whole? Use research evidence to support your argument. Scholarship award money was provided by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. A $1,500 scholarship was awarded to the first place winner, $1,000 to the second place winner and $500 to the third place winner. Eighty-six students from seven states submitted research papers, and Erin Craig, an aerospace educator at the museum, worked with museum volunteers Alice and Paul Pleva to determine the finalists. Those submissions were sent on to women aviation author Ann Cooper to decide the final three winners. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, please contact Sarah Swan at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1283.