The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and National Aeronautic Association (NAA) have named the U.S. national winners of the 2026 FAI Young Artists Contest.
This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” inspired hundreds of students across the country to illustrate the role of aviation in emergency response, medical relief, and community safety. Judging was conducted by aviation and education professionals with special guest, retired NASA astronaut Frank Lee Culbertson.
Managed by NASAO in partnership with the NAA, the contest challenges youth aged 6 to 17 to explore the intersection of air sports, aeronautics, and social impact.
According to officials, the winning entries were selected from a highly competitive pool of finalists submitted by participating states.
The first, second, and third-place winners in each category will now advance to the international judging round at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to compete against artists from around the world.
Winners
Junior Category (Ages 6–9)
- 1st Place: Aaron Chen, North Carolina
- 2nd Place: Leia Scarborough, North Carolina
- 3rd Place: Nandita Yaddanapudi, Tennessee
Intermediate Category (Ages 10–13)
- 1st Place: Hayun Kim, Tennessee
- 2nd Place: Lottie Schmutz, Wyoming
- 3rd Place: Carolynn Kim, North Carolina
Senior Category (Ages 14–17)
- 1st Place: Kiersten Hans, Nebraska
- 2nd Place: Rumy Lee, Nevada
- 3rd Place: Kyra Reuber, Kansas
The FAI Young Artists Contest has been a staple of the international aerospace community since 1986. National winners receive certificates and ribbons, while international winners are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.
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