Black Hawk Middle Student Wins International Art Award

A Black Hawk Middle School student won second-place in an international art competition for children age 10 to 13.

Sky Waters will be honored by District 51 Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL) for his painting of a man hang-gliding in canyon terrain.

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, which runs the competition, chose from more than 6,000 paintings from 14 countries.

"What a great way to inspire young minds to spend time contemplating the science and beauty of aviation," said Cassandra Isackson, MnDOT's director of aeronautics, in a statement. "We're especially proud of Minnesota's own Sky Waters and pleased that Sky's wonderful work will be shared with so many people."

Nine winners in three age groups were chosen in the competition. Waters was one of only two from the United States.