Student Wins Essay and Art Contests

Published May 19, 2016

Rising sixth grader Gitanjali Rao has plenty to celebrate after winning first place in a state art contest and first place in a national essay contest.

The former Edmondson Elementary student was named the winner of the 2016 EngineerGirl National Essay Competition, which is sponsored by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.

The contest required students in grades 3-12 to describe a technology and the improvements it could provide in at least one of the four areas of engineering responsibility: safety, health, well-being and environmental sustainability.

Gitanjali’s essay was about overcoming barriers to securing cyberspace. She received a $500 prize for winning first place.

Also this month, Gitanjali won a first place medal as part of this year’s Aviation Art Contest, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.

The contest required children ages 6-17 to reflect on aviation using this year’s theme, “Air Sports in Harmony with Nature.” Gitanjali’s art featured a tropical island with a skyline highlighting various air adventures and flying machines.

For her win, Rao received a $200 U.S. Savings Bond, and her school will receive $200 for its art department. Her art will now be sent to the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) to compete at the national and international level.