Art and Essay Winners 2025
Honoring the Past Through Youthful Vision: 2025 Museum Masterpieces Winners
The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual Museum Masterpieces Art & Essay Contest, a nationwide competition that celebrates creativity, history, and the enduring values of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Held in honor of the 250th anniversary of both services, this yearβs contest invited Kβ12 students to reflect on the theme of honor, courage, and commitment through visual art and essay writing.
Entries came in from across the country, showcasing the passion and imagination of a new generation of storytellers and artists. We’re proud to spotlight the students whose work stood out among hundreds of submissions.
π¨ Art Contest Winners
Grades Kβ2
π₯ 1st Place: Nathanael Shepherd β “Wildcat in the Sky”
π₯ 2nd Place: Kalev Martinez-Amaro β “Thank You!”
π₯ 2nd Place: Luke Roebke β “A Low Cross Break for 250 Years”
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Honorable Mentions: Elias Cockrell, Annabelle Gandy, Sawyer Haveard
Grades 3β5
π₯ 1st Place: Brantley Tharp β “USS Constitution Sails to Its Future”
π₯ 2nd Place: Graydon Slaughter β “Iwo Jima Perseverance”
π₯ 3rd Place (tie): Lucien Cox β “Courageous Contemplation”
π₯ 3rd Place (tie): Ava Hoover β “Remembrance”
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Honorable Mentions: Athena Rogers, Ruby Stiefel, Liam Garrett, Beaux Risher
Grades 6β8
π₯ 1st Place: Aharshi Chowdhury β “US Navy and Marine Corps”
π₯ 2nd Place: Benjamin Shepherd β “Guardians of the Ocean”
π₯ 3rd Place: Milam Schopmeyer β “250 Years of Freedom”
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Honorable Mentions: Audrey Zabel, Lana Matherne, Carley Thacker, Michael Becker
Grades 9β12
π₯ 1st Place: Rebecca Brown β “United with Those Before”
π₯ 2nd Place (tie): Daria Varana β “Boat Horizon”
π₯ 2nd Place (tie): Jonathan Shepherd β “Gray Ghosts”
π₯ 3rd Place: Cheyenne Besaw β “On Wings of Freedom”
βοΈ Essay Contest Winners (Grades 6β12)
π₯ 1st Place (tie):
β’ Gracie Catanese β “The Strangest Early Birthday”
β’ Kingsley Fanugao β “ζͺζ₯εΏ (Miraishin) β By a Weary Hand, April 1945”
π₯ 2nd Place (tie):
β’ Brock Reeves β “Salute to the Seaβs Finest”
β’ Natalie Blair β “Heart of the Sea”
β’ Lily Pablo β “Blue Battalion”
π₯ 3rd Place (tie):
β’ Kala Day β “A Hymn of Absent Accolades”
β’ Benjamin Shepherd β “Guardians of the Deep”
