9th grader Nicole Leshko of McAdoo was one of nine Pennsylvania students selected as a winner in PennDOT’S Aviation Art Contest. She is the daughter of Daniel and Paula Leshko.
The contest theme was “Flying Saves Lives.” Their artworks have been forwarded for judging in the national competition.
The top three winners, judged in three age categories, 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,” said Horn.
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.
To see the winning entries, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “Aviation & Rail Freight,” then the Bureau of Aviation.Below is a list of winners in the state aviation art contest:

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
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To learn more about the international contest visit www.nasao.org.
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