Tag: Art Contest

First place winner of the Senior Division: Soyoon Kim

RALEIGH – 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 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.

***NCDOT***

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation is once again calling on young artists to showcase their creativity in the 2026 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest. The annual competition, open to students across the state, gives participants the chance to explore the world of flight through art. This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” challenges students to illustrate how aviation and air sports can help people in need, from delivering supplies to supporting rescue missions. “We look forward to this contest every year,” said Nick Short, director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. “It’s always inspiring to see the creativity of students and how they imagine the many ways aviation can make a difference.” North Carolina students born between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2019, are eligible to submit entries in one of three age groups:

• Junior (ages 6–9)
• Intermediate (ages 10–13)
• Senior (ages 14–17)

Cash prizes, provided by the North Carolina Airports Association, will be awarded to the top three students in each age group and their schools.

Entries for North Carolina’s contest must be received by Jan. 16, 2026.

The artwork of the three North Carolina winners in each age group will advance to the national competition, hosted by the National Association of State Aviation Officials. National winners then move on to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s international contest in Switzerland.

For eligibility details, submission forms and more, visit the NCDOT Aviation Art Contest page.

Questions? Contact North Carolina’s contest coordinator, Haven Bailey, at ext-hrbailey1@ncdot.gov or 919-814-0550.

***NCDOT***