Lalitha Kuchipudi has earned an accolade that many only dream of – “Best in the world.”
The 15-year-old student from Chantilly was awarded First Place in the “Senior” category of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s (FAI) Young Artists Contest.
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FAI is known in the aviation community as the global authority on certifying aviation records and feats. Since 1986, the organization has sponsored the aviation art contest, which includes entrants from Bulgaria, China, France, India, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia and the United States.
Kuchipudi’s rise to earning an international gold medal began when she submitted her artwork to the Virginia Department of Aviation’s (DOAV) student art contest, where she also won first place in the “Senior” category. She then went on to earn second place on the national stage for the competition sponsored by the National Aeronautic Association in Washington D.C. The freshman next went to the international contest and, ultimately, earned the honor as best in the world.
Working under the theme “Women with Wings,” Kuchipudi’s drawing depicts a young girl dressed in an astronaut’s flight suit, jumping on her bed while erupting in laughter. On the wall behind the girl are posters of astronaut pioneers, including Sally Ride, Valentina Tereshkova, and Jeanette Epps.
“I wanted to focus more on women in aviation, instead of doing a single portrait of one woman. Their influence was really great on kids. I wanted to be an astronaut,” Kuchipudi said.
Kuchipudi was one of three Virginians to win honors at the national competition and advance to the international stage. Andrew Yang, 9, and Aspen Xing, 12, also represented the United States in the art contest.
Only one other American, Lottie Schmutz of Wyoming, earned honors in the international 2025 Youth Artists Contest.
“A Virginian represents not just the best of our nation, but the entire world. Our motto that ’Virginia is for Flying Lovers,’ is quickly becoming a fact,” DOAV Director Greg Campbell said.
The Virginia Department of Aviation congratulates Kuchipudi and the rest of the winners of the FAI Youth Artists Contest.
Updates are available on the 2026’s aviation art theme online.
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‘A more peaceful future for aviation’: Virginia students create art, place in state contest
‘National models for aviation and the arts’: Two young Virginia artists qualify in global contest
Two Virginia students place in International Aviation Art Contest
Virginia students to compete in international art competition in Switzerland
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Rebecca Barnabi
