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ORANGE COUNTY STUDENTS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR THEIR ARTISTIC TALENT
A Garden Grove and Santa Ana Student Earns National Recognition This is the subheader

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Nine Orange County students have received top honors at the state level of the International Aviation Art Contest. All were originally winners in the 17th Annual John Wayne Airport (JWA) Student Art Contest themed “Airfield,” and were subsequently entered into the statewide level of the competition. Winners at the state level of the competition were then submitted to the national level of the International Aviation Art Contest. Two of the nine students were recognized at the national level of the competition.

Isaiah Nobles of Garden Grove, student at Crosby Elementary School in Garden Grove, won third place in his age category at the national level (see photo below).

Crystal Wang, student of Orange County High School for the Arts in Santa Ana, won third place in her age category at the national level (see photo below).

Both students’ artwork was submitted to the international level of the International Aviation Art Contest and results have not yet been announced.

“We’re privileged to honor young artists who use their talent and creativity to depict the world of aviation,” said Airport Director Alan L. Murphy. “Their artwork continues to be impressive and we’re pleased and proud to give these students the opportunity for recognition throughout other levels of the competition.”

JWA’s Student Art Contest is held each year in November. To learn more, visit the JWA Web site at http://www.ocair.com/terminal/studentart/flyer.htm.

JWA implemented its Annual Student Art Contest in 1990 as part of the opening of the Thomas F. Riley Terminal. In 1996, the Airport began coordinating its art contest with the International Aviation Art Contest sponsored by the National Aeronautic Association, National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration, in cooperation with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

JWA maintains an ongoing Airport Arts Program, and has presented a series of museum quality exhibitions in the Vi Smith Concourse Gallery and featured numerous Orange County artists through the Community Focus Program.

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ISAIAH NOBLES, 8, GARDEN GROVE GRAND PRIZE – JWA COMPETITION 3RD PLACE – STATE LEVEL 3RD PLACE – NATIONAL LEVEL	CRYSTAL WANG, 12, SANTA ANA 3RD PLACE – JWA COMPETITION 1ST PLACE – STATE LEVEL 3RD PLACE – NATIONAL LEVEL

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a self-supporting enterprise, owned and operated by the County of Orange, and serves more than 9.6 million passengers annually.

EDITORS: More photos of student art can be obtained by contacting Jenny Wedge at (949) 252-5182 or via email at jwedge@ocair.com. A list of all winners at all competition levels is attached.