Three North Carolina students earned top spots in the 2025 U.S. Youth Aviation Art Contest, which featured over 140 national submissions. Their artwork focused on the theme "Women with Wings," and the National Association of State Aviation Officials and the National Aeronautic Association recognized their achievements during the contest, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

Students from North Carolina earned national recognition in an aviation art contest. Sofia Garcia-Vazquez from Davis Drive Middle School took first place in the Intermediate Category. In the Senior Category, Soyoon Kim from Chapel Hill High School won first place, and Catherine Park from Cary Christian School placed third. "These young artists did a phenomenal job capturing the legacy and impact of women in aviation," said Nick Short, interim director of the N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, as reported by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

North Carolina students who recently won the national U.S. Youth Aviation Art Contest will now compete in the 2025 International Aviation Art Contest, organized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale this June. The contest encourages youth to explore aviation through art, and North Carolina's strong track record includes 19 national winners and 3 international honorees, reflecting the state's dedication to supporting aspiring aviators and aerospace enthusiasts, as stated by the N.C. Department of Transportation.