First place winner, Brianna Salinas, and Calhoun High School art teacher, Nick McIntyre, at the 30th Annual Texas Aviation Conference.
AUSTIN—Brianna Salinas, a student at Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca, was the first place winner in the statewide competition for an entry in the 2012 International Aviation Art Contest. She competed in the 14- to 18-year-old category.
Brianna, age 15, received a certificate and was recognized for artist talent during the 30th Annual Texas Aviation conference held in Galveston recently.
“The Calhoun County Independent School District (CCISD) consistently is able to have their students compete on a Texas State level and excel. It is with great pride that Calhoun County Airport is able to announce the winner of this year’s annual contest in a field of over 1200 entries this year,” airport manager, Dianna Stanger proudly stated.
Brianna is a second year art student at CHS and this is her first time entering the annual contest. Her artwork utilized acrylic paint and portrays an autumn scene, which she chose because of the yellow and orange color combination. “I wanted to feature a little girl who aspires to be a pilot and is always watching planes while holding a balloon,” Brianna explained. She says she has always loved to draw, and has enjoyed drawing more and more realistic scenes. Her piece was submitted as an assignment for class, which she earned an A on, and then submitted to the state for judging.
The theme was “Silent Flight.” Entries were judged in one of three age groups, 6-9 years, 10-13 years, and 14-17 years. This year, 1,440 students and 109 schools participated in the art contest statewide.
The annual International Aviation Art contest is sponsored by National Aeronautic Association, supported by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in association with the National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Coalition for Aviation Education, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the Ken Cook Company and the National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA.)
The art contest is designed to motivate and encourage young people of FAI-member nations to become more familiar with and participate in aeronautics, engineering and science.
The 30th Annual Aviation conference was co-hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Airports Council and Texas Aviation Association. Participants included airport managers, city and county officials, the FAA and others interested in aviation in Texas.
Brianna hopes to pursue art in college and specialize in digital graphic design. Her winning piece will be featured in the 2013 TxDOT Aviation Art Calendar which is distributed to all of the CCISD schools. Calendars are due to arrive in late September. She is the fourth student from Calhoun County to be featured in the annual calendar. Calhoun County Airport has submitted over 800 pieces of artwork in the past three years to TxDOT’s annual aviation art calendar contest. For more, visit www.calhounaircenter.com.
Calhoun Air Center is dedicated to make your experience at the Calhoun County Airport an enjoyable one. The staff is dedicated to assist pilots with accommodations, transportation or repair services. Calhoun Air Center soars above and beyond hospitality with the recent completion of T-hangars; private hangars are available as well as community space for an overnight or extended stay. In addition, short term ramp space is available for free. At Calhoun County Airport there is no landing fee, just one more convenience to prove they want your business.
To schedule an interview or for more information about this event please contact, Jasmine Gordon at 361-746-8846 or via email at jasmine@calhounaircenter.com.
Steve Hadley of the National Business Aviation Association presents contest winner, Brianna Salinas, with a certificate and ribbon.
