Regional winner Hunter Wentzel won PennDOT's District Aviation Art contest. He is a student at Ashkar Elementary School.

Hunter Wentzel of Ashkar Elementary School was named a division winner in the PennDOT Bureau of Aviation’s aviation art contest.

“Our congratulations go out to all of our winners,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “The students continue to impress us with their creativity and I offer my thanks to the families and schools promoting this opportunity.”

Winners were selected from over 600 entries statewide.

Wentzel received a mounted, 16-by-20-inch copy of his entry, and a certificate signed by the transportation secretary. His school also received a mounted copy of the artwork for display. The mounted artwork and certificates were provided during a presentation at Ashkar on Dec. 21 by District 3-0 District Executive Sandra Tosca, P.E.

The contest’s theme was “The View from the Pilot’s Seat” and entries were judged in two divisions: first through third grades, and fourth and fifth grades. One winner was chosen from each division in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts.

The winning entries were on display in the state capitol building in Harrisburg during December.

PennDOT initiated the contest to provide an opportunity for children to express their creativity while they learn about the industry and to increase interest in one of Pennsylvania’s vital transportation modes. “While creating their artwork, students had the opportunity to learn about aviation through class discussion, their parents, or even a visit to their local airport, but mostly, we wanted children to have fun while learning about aviation,” said Sandy Tosca, district executive at PennDot who presented the award to Hunter.