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Boise, Caldwell students garner top honors for aviation-themed artwork
and visit with Idaho governor

Treasure Valley students Sierra Lafrenz and Gage Thornton earned top honors for their artwork depicting aviation themes in a recent aviation art contest sponsored by the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Aeronautics.

The two also earned a visit with Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter at the state capitol in Boise.

The contest was open to all Idaho students, grades K-12.. ITD Division of Aeronautics staff and others from the aviation community served as judges for the approximately 200 entries submitted from across the state.

Lafrenz is a fourth-grade student attending Boise’s Rose Hill Montessori and Thornton, from Caldwell, is in the eighth grade attending Idaho Arts Charter School.

The student winners and their parents enjoyed lunch and a tour of the Idaho State Capitol before meeting Gov. Otter who signed their entries.

“The kids had a blast,” said Aviation Safety Manager Dan Etter. “Sierra took her certificate and award to school to show her teacher and fellow students. Gage had so much fun he is planning to attend this year’s Aviation Career Exploration Academy (ACE).”

Etter added that both artists said they intend to enter this year’s Idaho Aviation Art contest that begins in September.

Windy conditions that developed the day of the statehouse visit prevented pilots from the Ponderosa Aero Club from flying the contest winners and their parents to Garden Valley and back for the fun of it. That reward has been rescheduled.

(Top) Gov. Otter signed all the winning aviation art contest entries under the watchful eye of Sierra Lafrenz. (Above right) Gov. Otter poses with Gage Thornton and Lafrenz. (Below) Winning artwork by Thornton and Lafrenz.

By Gage Thornton

By Sierra Lafrenz