Drive to Fly, an aerospace art competition started last year by an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student, is accepting entries for 2025 until March 17.
High school juniors and seniors can win scholarships for $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 for creation of art depicting a theme. This year’s theme is “Together in Flight.” More details on the rules can be found at the contest website, drivetofly.org.
Vikas Patel, an ERAU student who earned a prestigious Astronaut Scholarship as an aspiring space traveler, started the contest in 2024 with help from Preston Root, a local philanthropist. The two helped to arrange for a showing of the winning art at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.
Patel said his support team has expanded to include four other ERAU students: Riley Cox-Gross, Ananya Goyal, Cindy Nguyen, and Camdyn Doucette.
Goyal said she and other students interested in STEM – the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – can find art to be a useful outlet.
“This competition is the perfect fusion of art and science,” said Goyal, who is handling communications. “As someone passionate about both art and space, I saw joining the team behind it as the ideal way to pursue both my hobby and my dream. If you’re eager to unleash your creativity while diving into the world of engineering, this is the platform for you to do so.”
Nguyen, the media lead, said she, too, sees the connection.
“I believe creativity and the humanities are super important in STEM,” Nguyen said, “and I wanted to help support that in our future scientists and engineers.”
Patel has enlisted former NASA astronaut and artist Nicole Stott, an ERAU graduate, as well as ERAU associate professor Troy Henderson and architect and sculptor Bill Chapin to serve as judges.
Last year’s winners were first place, Aspen Redden, a senior at Mainland High School; second and third place, respectively, Sabrina Dahl and Ava Werner, both juniors at Spruce Creek High School. In addition to their scholarship awards, the three were invited to Space Art Night, an event during the Astronaut Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cocoa Beach. Dahl attended and met Stott and other retired astronauts and retired industry professionals.
