2016 NAIAS Poster Contest Winners Announced

28th annual contest drew 707 entries from 53 Michigan schools

DETROIT, Dec. 17, 2015 -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced today the winners of its 28th annual Poster Contest, held in conjunction with the 2016 NAIAS, which takes place Jan. 16-24 at Cobo Center in Detroit. This year's contest drew 707 entries from 53 schools.

"Having the privilege to view all of the amazing submissions and select our grand prize, the Chairmen's Award, is truly an honor," said Paul Sabatini, 2016 NAIAS Chairman. "Acknowledging and rewarding these students for the amazing creativity and themes demonstrated in their art is very important to fostering a passion for the automotive industry at a young age."

All of the winning posters can be viewed on the Poster Contest page on the NAIAS website.

The grand prize, the Chairmen's Award of $1,000 will be presented to Brittany Bates, a 12th grade student at the Careerline Tech Center in Holland, Michigan. Brittany's winning poster will be printed in the official NAIAS program. In addition, Brittany was also awarded 1st place for the 12th grade category as well.

Established to foster creativity and a passion for the automotive industry with Michigan students, the 28th annual contest has received over 10,000 entries since its inception.

Beyond the Chairmen's Award, winners were selected in the following categories and awarded cash prizes:

Winner who received a $1,000 prize:

State Farm Insurance Award: Bryen Gatt, Howell High School Winner who received a $500 prize:

Designer's Best of Show – Digital: Mitchell Russell, Novi High School

Designer's Best of Show – Traditional: Kelli LeSarge, Rockford Senior High School

1st Place, 12th Grade Award: Brittany Bates, Careerline Tech Center (per Poster Contest rules, maximum sum that can be awarded to one student is $1,000)

1st Place, 11th Grade Award: Donovan Mattson, Howell High School

1st Place, 10th Grade Award: Smriti Bala, Plymouth High School

Winners who received a $250 prize:

Best Theme Award: Anthony Paul Timmer, Careerline Tech Center

Best Use of Color Award: Olivia Meloche, Careerline Tech Center

Most Creative Award: Eunjung Cho, Oakland Schools Technical Southwest

2nd Place, 12th Grade Award: Lindsay Dauch, Bloomfield Hills High School

2nd Place, 11th Grade Award: Anna Sczcepaniuk, Careerline Tech Center

2nd Place, 10th Grade Award: Marco Lozono, Bloomfield Hills High School

Winners who received a $100 prize:

3rd Place, 12th Grade Award: Hope Grondy, William D. Ford Career Technical Center

3rd Place, 11th Grade Award: Molly Fitzgerald, Careerline Tech Center

3rd Place, 10th Grade Award: Adam Lewis, Novi High School

The posters were reviewed and judged by the 2016 NAIAS Chairmen, a General Motors automotive designer, a College for Creative Studies instructor, and State Farm Insurance representatives. All winning entries are posted on the NAIAS website, and will be on display Jan. 16-24 at the auto show and mentioned in the auto show program. The 28th NAIAS Poster Contest was open to all Michigan students in grades 10 through 12.