By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A select group of Union City High School art students is flying high.
Five members of Hilary Webb’s class were recently judged winners in the annual International Aviation Art Contest, sponsored locally by Everett-Stewart Regional Airport.
Eli Ervin was the first-place winner in the local division of the competition and will head a UC Schools contingent to advance on to the state level. Second place went to Olivia Tanner, while Erin Oatsvall claimed third, Byron Watt fourth and Sophie Theobald fifth place.
Those students received cash and gift cards, and, in the case of Ervin, a grand prize of a private helicopter or plane ride – courtesy of Full Stop Aviation.
The theme of this year’s contest was “A Friendlier World with Air Sports.”
UC students had their entries judged by staff members from the University of Tennessee at Martin Art Department. All entries in the local portion of the contest will be forwarded to the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.
In all, 14 Union City students will advance on to the state level of the competition.
All entries were done on 12×18 white paper, by hand. Materials allowed for use included watercolor, acrylic, marker, pen, colored pencil, crayon or similar permanent medium.
No pencil, charcoal, pastel or computer-generated artwork was allowed, and neither was college work involving the use of photocopies.
Webb, who has taught art 17 years and made participation for this year part of a class project for a grade, said she was pleased with both her students’ work and their willingness and to compete in such contests.
“I think it is important for my students to participate in competitions,” she said. “It gives them motivation to give the artwork their best effort and really create something they are proud of.
“We have been participating in this annual contest since 2014 and we will continue as long as the local airport participates. We have had numerous winners at the local level and five at the state level
“We are hoping to add to that number of state winners this year.”
Photo: Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Manager Chris Rodgers, Erin Oatsvall, Byron Watt, Eli Ervin, Oliva Tanner, Sophie Theobald, UC Schools Art Teacher Hilary Webb.