Winners announced for annual student artwork competition at museum Published April 30, 2014 By Sarah Swan National Museum of the U.S. Air Force DAYTON, Ohio -- The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force recently announced the winners of the 31st Annual Student Aviation Art Competition and Exhibition. More than 125 pieces of art created by local students were on exhibit at the museum from March 31 through April 27. Student artists from both private and public schools in Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery and Warren counties created artwork based on the theme "Presidential Aircraft." Students were encouraged to research the presidential airplanes within the museum collection, as well as other aircraft that served American presidents. "This year's contest provided a wonderful opportunity for students to research and create artwork that depicted presidential aircraft and the presidents themselves," said Howard Walker, an aerospace educator at the museum. "Student artists were challenged to express themselves artistically, and some of the pieces were of professional quality." Winners were chosen in the following grade-based categories: Grades K-1 First Place: Sean Werner, Incarnation Catholic School Second Place: Adam Wasik, Incarnation Catholic School Third Place: Davi Tickle, Brantwood Elementary School Grades 2-3 First Place: Nathan Snizik, Incarnation Catholic School Second Place: Diya Percy, Incarnation Catholic School Third Place: Levi Atherton, XTAR Program at Central Middle School Grades 4-6 First Place: Catherine Tollefson, Incarnation Catholic School Second Place: DJ Myles, XTAR Program at Central Middle School Third Place: Jaclyn Cooper, XTAR Program at Central Middle School Grades 7-9 First Place: Lauren Conroy, Incarnation Catholic School Second Place: Elnara Ukhtiyayeva, Stebbins High School Third Place: Shayleigh Frank, Stebbins High School Grades 10-12 First Place: Kyla Miller, Stebbins High School Second Place: Jacob Santana, Stebbins High School Third Place: Jesus Valtierra, Stebbins High School Special Needs Grades K-6 First Place: Mariah Strole, Brantwood Elementary School Second Place: Haley Helton, Saville Elementary School Third Place: Race Alison, Brantwood Elementary School Special Needs Grades 7-12 First Place: Alexis Bateman, Stebbins High School Second Place: Denton Messer, Stebbins High School Third Place: Lee Hays, Stebbins High School Best of Show Megan Grote, Valley View High School 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 PUBLIC: For more information, please contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at (937) 255-3286. 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.