By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A pair of Union City High School art students soared with the eagles in the 2020 International Aviation Art Contest.
Elijah Cavalier placed second and Olivia Hill earned third place accolades at the state level among a field of more than 250 entries in the annual contest that is hosted by the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and TDOT Aeronautics Division.
The efforts of Cavalier and Hill – following a theme of “Flying Yesterday and Tomorrow” ‑- were honored with individual cash prizes that also earned matching cash prizes for the UCHS Art Department.
Their entries were also submitted to the contest’s national level competition in Washington, DC., with winners there then advancing to international competition.
Contestants were judged in three classes, according to age and at least in part for their creative use of the them in relation to the aviation world.
Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Manager Chris Rodgers was involved in the contest, as is commonplace with the local airport. Webb turned in 14 UCHS entries in all to Rodgers, who then sent them in to the state competition after contacting numerous local schools with the information, themes and deadlines of this year’s contest.
All work was done on 12×18 white paper, by hand. Materials allowed for use included watercolor, acrylic, markers, pens, colored pencil, crayon or any similar permanent medium.
No pencil, charcoal, pastel or computer-generated artwork was allowed, and neither was collage work involving the use of photocopies.
UCHS art teacher Hilary Webb, who has taught the subject 16 years, annually has students to enter the competition, she said.
“I was obviously pleased to have had two students do so well,” Webb claimed. “These opportunities show who really is interested in art and their imagination.
“Sometimes, as a teacher, you have to push students, and other times, their natural interest and hidden talent comes out in these competitions. I always find it rewarding to see their ideas and talents make their way onto whatever canvas is used.”
A banquet to formerly recognize state-level winners that was tentatively scheduled for the Lebanon Municipal Airport for early May has been canceled.
NOTE: Cavalier and Hill are pictured with smaller replicas of their winning state entries as the originals have not yet been returned from the national competition .