Third-grader's drawing wins art contest - Brief Article

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - A third-grade girl captured the judges' attention in the sixth annual Armed Services YMCA art contest with her pencil drawing of her family's reunion after her father's return from a deployment.

Heather Burke, the daughter of Tech. Sgt. Robert and Marietta Burke of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, took top honors among all services with her entry. She won a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and will be featured on a poster recognizing military families for National Military Family Week in November.

Placing first in the National Guard category was Dane Krull, fifth-grade son of Maj. Rich and Stephanie Krull of the Indiana Air National Guard. He placed his family on the flightline, and won a spot on the poster as well.

Taking second place in the Air Force category was Maximilian Frazier, first-grade son of Master Sgt. Timothy and Manuela Frazier of F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and for the National Guard category was T.J. McClelland, third-grade son of Tech. Sgt. Pamela and Thomas McClelland, also of the Indiana Air National Guard. Second-place winners received $100 savings bonds.

In addition, an honorary prize went to a child of a Defense Department teacher at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Priscilla Karamzadeh, fourth-grade daughter of Barbara and Kianoosh Karamzadeh, won a $100 savings bond.

More than 2,200 children from kindergarten to sixth grade entered the contest, a record number. Entries were judged by grade, and then ranked by score. Awards were presented in six categories: the five services and the National Guard.

All first- and second-place winning artwork are on the Armed Services YMCA Web page, www.asymca.org. Also posted is the list of children receiving honorable mention.

The Armed Services YMCA sponsors the annual art contest with support from GEICO, an insurance company, primarily to provide artwork for the National Military Family Week poster.