Wisconsin aviation art contest winners announced

February 8, 2012

Top entries advance to national contest in Washington, D.C.

Nine young people from around the state won top honors in this year’s poster design contest sponsored by the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics, in the state Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The top three entries, in three different age groups, have advanced to the national aviation art contest for judging in Washington, D.C.

Junior Category (ages 7 to 9)

1st place: Neil Droster, Mt. Horeb
2nd place: Samantha Dyrud, Prairie du Sac
3rd place: Lily Dunklau, Delavan

Intermediate Category (ages 10 to 13)

1st place: Trevor Erickson, Mosinee
2nd place: Hannah Brault, Green Bay
3rd place: Lane Buchner, Ferryville

Senior Category (ages 14 to 17)

1st place: Risqika Achsan, New Holstein
2nd place: Josie Tollaksen, Poynette
3rd place: Hannah Hodgett, Shell Lake

First place winners have the option of selecting a $100 art supply gift certificate OR an airplane ride for two as their prize. Second and third place winners receive a $75 and $50 art supply gift certificate, respectively.

The Wisconsin winning works of art will be judged with entries from across the country in the three age groups. The first, second and third place national winners, in each age group, will receive a certificate, ribbon and framed reproduction of their artwork. In addition, they will advance to the international competition for worldwide judging in Switzerland.

The 2012 theme is "Silent Flight." It celebrates and honors air travel powered by wind. The posters include creative interpretations of kites, gliders, paragliders and hot air balloons. The Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics received more than 430 entries this year, which is a new record. All of the Wisconsin posters will be on display at the State Capitol this summer. Photos of the top nine entries are currently available for online viewing at the WisDOT Web site.

"We thank all of this year’s contest participants – there is a lot of artistic talent among the young people of Wisconsin," concluded Wiessinger. "We wish our state finalists the very best as they compete for national and international recognition."

For more information, contact:
Aviation Education Coordinator Nicole Wiessinger, WisDOT
(608) 266-8166, nicole.wiessinger@dot.wi.gov