Melissa’s winning entry excelled in this year’s contest theme, 50 years of Human Space Flight.

Calhoun High School (CHS) student, Melissa Albrecht of Port O’Connor has been awarded third place in Category III in The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) International Aviation Art Contest. This is the second year in which Calhoun Air Center has promoted the art contest in Calhoun County schools.

Following the airport’s local art contest which is structured around TxDOT’s International Aviation Art Contest, a total of 352 entries were submitted from Calhoun County. TxDOT received approximately 1,200 entries; the theme was “50 years of human space flight.” The contest is designed to motivate and encourage children to study aeronautics, engineering and science.

Airport manager, Dianna Stanger said, “At Calhoun Air Center we strive to get kids interested in aviation which can lead to a future career. We are delighted that the county has embraced this project.”
As a winning contestant, Melissa, along with her family and art teacher, will be invited to the Texas Aviation Conference Awards Banquet which will be held on May 26, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. Her artwork will be featured in the 2012 Texas Kid’s Aviation Art Calendar Contest. The calendars will be distributed in schools in early September.

“The students are extremely motivated to win; we had numerous entries that were great. I’m glad to hear that one of our students placed,” said Mr. McIntyre, Melissa’s art teacher.

Melissa’s winning entry will now be sent to Washington D.C to be judged in the national competition and could go onto compete at an international level. Special thank you to Calhoun County schools, students for their participation and to 2010 sponsors. Each student will receive a participation certificate from TxDOT Aviation Division in the spring.
For more info, video and photos please visit: www.CalhounAirCenter.com