2006 North American International Auto Show 18th Annual Poster Contest Awards Talented High School Artists

DETROIT, Jan. 17 -- The 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) High School Poster Contest awarded a total of $5,300 to honorary student artists. Those awarded now display their work during the NAIAS Public Days, Jan. 14 until Jan. 22, 2006.

"Engaging the minds and talents of these local students serves as a superb way to recognize their innovation and creativity while displaying their work to the thousands of people visiting this year's NAIAS," said Richard Genthe, senior co-chairman of the NAIAS 2006.

Grades ten through twelve were eligible to take part in the annual contest in which 49 different Michigan High Schools participated. All of the posters encompassed an automotive theme and recognized this year's NAIAS.

An independent panel of members from the local art community judged all of the posters entered into the contest.

From 313 entries, co-chairmen Richard Genthe and Bob Thibodeau Jr. selected the winning poster, by Derek Bennion, a 12th grade student from Dakota High School, who won a grand prize of $1,000 prior to the NAIAS.

  2006 High School Poster Contest Honorees:
  $500 Prize Winners:
  *  Designer's Best of Show (Digital): Nicole Winekoff, William D. Ford --
     Career and Technical Center, Westland, Mich.
  *  Designer's Best of Show (Traditional): Noelle McClanahan, Riverview
     Community High School, Riverview, Mich.
  *  10th Grade Award, 1st Place: Collin Larkin, Stoney Creek High School,
     Rochester Hills, Mich.
  *  11th Grade Award, 1st Place: Suzanne Butler, Lake Orion High School,
     Lake Orion, Mich.
  *  12th Grade Award, 1st Place: Joe Nissen, Oakland Schools Technical
     Campus Southwest, Wixom, Mich.

  $250 Prize Winners:
  *  Best Theme: Miles Urband, Bar-Arenac ISK Career Center, Bay City, Mich.
  *  Best Use of Color: Sean Friendenstab, Oakland Schools Technical Campus
     Southwest, Wixom, Mich.
  *  Most Creative: Jazmine Clark, Grand Blanc High School, Grand Blanc,
     Mich.
  *  10th Grade Award, 2nd Place: Cameron Hagedon, Port Huron High School,
     Port Huron, Mich.
  *  11th Grade Award, 2nd Place: Meagan McKee, Oakland Schools Technical
     Campus Southwest, Wixom, Mich.
  *  12th Grade Award, 2nd Place: Robbie Trevino, Oakland Schools Technical
     Campus Southwest, Wixom, Mich.

  $100 Prize Winners:
  *  10th Grade Award, 3rd Place: Mica Kole, Kalkaska High School, Kalkaska,
     Mich.
  *  11th Grade Award, 3rd Place: Morgan McPeak, Oakland Schools Technical
     Campus Southwest, Wixom, Mich.
  *  12th Grade Award, 3rd Place: Mike Fleischer, Oakland Schools Technical
     Campus Southwest, Wixom, Mich.

  NAIAS 2006 Official Dates
  Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 14, through Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006.

  The North American International Auto Show
  Rod Alberts - Executive Director

Entering its 18th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris- based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/ . Don't Miss It for the World!