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Fairfax County students captured first place in every age group and claimed seven of the nine awards in the 2026 Virginia Aviation Art Competition.
This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” challenged students to show how aviation contributes to emergency response, medical transportation, disaster relief, search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian missions.
The winners, announced Tuesday, Feb. 24, were judged on originality, color, overall composition and connection to the theme. The judging panel included professionals in aviation, engineering and education.
Great Falls resident Seren Shen won the junior division for ages 6 to 10. Aria Gu of Vienna placed second, and Alex Zhang of Vienna finished third.
Jennifer Xia of Great Falls took first place in the intermediate division for ages 11 to 14. Aiden Zhang of Falls Church earned second place, followed by Callie Hu of Great Falls in third.
Annie Chen of Fairfax won the senior division for ages 15 to 18. Great Falls resident Daisy Ying placed second, while Christina Hou of Arlington took third.
Virginia Department of Aviation Director Greg Campbell said the students’ accomplishments demonstrated their talent, dedication and imagination. He said the winners would represent Virginia on the national stage and potentially in international competition.
All nine award recipients will advance to the national contest.
Fairfax County students also made a strong showing nationally last year. Andrew Yang of Great Falls won the junior category, Aspen Xing of Vienna placed second in the intermediate division, and Lalitha Kuchipudi of Chantilly finished third among senior competitors.
Kuchipudi later won the international gold medal in a competition hosted by the Swiss-based Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, becoming the world’s top student aviation artist.
Her entry for the 2025 theme, “Women with Wings,” showed a laughing young girl wearing an astronaut flight suit and jumping on her bed. Posters honoring pioneering astronauts Sally Ride, Valentina Tereshkova and Jeanette Epps appeared on the wall behind her.