First Posted: 3/11/2014

Shannon Baransky of Clarks Summit placed second in the Intermediate Category at the state’s aviation art contest and has been forwarded for judging in the national competition. The contest theme was “Flying Saves Lives.”

Geena Miller of Susquehanna County finished third.

“Each year that we invite students to show their creativity in this contest, we’re impressed with their skill and imagination,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “We hope that the contest helps our students learn more about how important aviation is in our lives – for safety, the economy and mobility.”

Entries were judged in three categories: the Junior category includes those born between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2007; the Intermediate category includes those born between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2003; and the Senior category includes those born between Jan. 1, 1996, and Dec. 31, 1999. Each age group’s top three winners in the national competition will be submitted to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for international judging.

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) was involved in judging the nearly 100 entries, with Executive Director Philip Horn serving as a guest judge.

“The PCA is pleased to be part of the Aviation Art Contest. Through the arts we communicate, persuade, entertain and celebrate all the aspects of our work and our lives,” Horn said.

The department will recognize the winners in each age group with an enlarged copy of their entry and a certificate signed by Schoch. The students’ schools will also receive an enlarged copy of the artwork for display.

Junior Category (those born between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2007)

First place: Maximilian Lin, Newtown, Bucks County

Second place: Isabella Lee-Truesdell, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County

Third place: Hayden Klinepeter, Middleburg, Snyder County

Intermediate Category (those born between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2003)

First place: Isabella Lin, Newtown, Bucks County

Second place: Shannon Baransky, Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County

Third place: Geena Miller, Susquehanna, Susquehanna County

Senior Category (those born between Jan. 1, 1996, and Dec. 31, 1999)

First place: Joey Shibata, Lansdale, Montgomery County

Second place: Britany Smith, Penns Creek, Snyder County

Third place: Nicole Leshko, McAdoo, Schuylkill County