2013 FSYF Art Contest Winners

Sponsored by the State Department Federal Credit Union

The Foreign Service Youth Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2013 Art
Contest, sponsored by the State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU). The annual contest
challenges U.S. Foreign Service youth to create art in any flat medium based on a given theme.
The 2013 theme was "The World is my Hometown”. The winning artists in each of three age
categories will receive generous cash prizes made possible by the State Department Federal
Credit Union. All nine winners will be honored at the Youth Awards Ceremony at the
headquarters of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) in Washington, DC on Friday,
July 19, 2013.

AGES 5-8

1st Place: Sabra Elizabeth Goveia

First place in the 5-8-age category and $500 was awarded to 7 year-old Sabra Elizabeth Goveia
for “The World is my Compass”. Sabra is the daughter of Heidi Soule and Jeffrey Goveia,
currently posted to Chisinau, Moldova where Sabra is a rising 2nd grader at Quality Schools
International. Previous posts include Kampala, Uganda. Sabra has many interests, chief among
them drawing, reading, swimming and animals. Sabra is particularly interested in cats, saving
animals and supporting anti-poaching efforts in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Her winning
artwork is inspired by her love of animals which are a major focus of her attention as she moves
throughout the world with her family.

2nd Place: Melody Reynolds

Second place in the 5-8-age category and $250 was awarded to 8-year-old Melody Reynolds
for, “This is My World”. Melody is the 8 year old daughter of Eve and Scott Reynolds, currently
posted to Ottawa, Canada, where Melody attends Elmwood School for Girls. Previous posts
include Washington DC, Pretoria and Moscow. Melody’s winning entry depicts major world
architectural landmarks surrounding her global home. In her free time, Melody enjoys drawing,
badminton, reading, and playing with her friends.

3rd Place: Sophie Nave

Third place in the 5-8-age category and $100 was awarded to Sophie Nave for, “My World Wide
Neighborhood”. Sophie is the daughter of John and Brenda Nave who are moving from Fairfax,
VA to Naples, Italy this summer. Along with her two older brothers and parents, Sophie has
previously lived in Tokyo and Brussels. Sophie’s winning artwork depicts an American-style
home nestled among the traditional dwelling places of different cultures including a yurt, igloo
and more. In addition to drawing, Sophie enjoys writing and illustrating books, reading, bike
riding and, of course, playing. Sophie is proud of her winning entry in her school (Daniels Run
ES) phone directory contest and her illustration now adorns the cover!

AGES 9-12

1st Place: Ethan Banerjee

First place in the 9-12 age category and $500 was awarded to 9 year-old Ethan Banerjee for
“World of Windows, Views of Home”. Ethan is the son of Dillon and Sarah Banerjee, currently
living in Mexico City where Ethan attends the American School Foundation. Previous posts
include Lisbon and Moscow. Ethan’s winning submission demonstrated creativity with a
layered globe featuring windows that opened to provide peeks of his previous posts. In
addition to art, Ethan enjoys skiing, skateboarding, tennis and music.

2nd Place: Caitlin Chaisson

Second place in the 9-12 age category and $250 was awarded to 7th grader Caitlin Chaisson for
“I the World”. Caitlin is a rising 7th grader and daughter of Christopher and Frederique
Chaisson, currently posted to Chisinau, Moldova. Caitlin and her family have previously lived in
Tashkent, Baku and Bishkek. In addition to her art, Caitlin loves fashion and music. She keeps
busy with classes in piano, singing, drawing and fashion design. A trilinguist (English, French
and Russian), Caitlin enjoys travel, spending time with her friends, ice skating, swimming and
her cat, who features in her artwork. About her art, Caitlin says,” the world is my hometown
because I feel at home in all the places that I visit or live. The t-shirts show that when you love
a city it becomes your home”.

3rd Place: Emily Rose Allen

Third place in the 9-12 age category and $100 was awarded to rising 5th grader Emily Allen for
“Postcards from my Hometown”. Emily is the daughter of Tyler and Jennifer Allen, and attends
Quality Schools International in Shenyang, China. Emily and her family of seven have previously
lived in Dili, Seoul, Bridgetown and Busan. Emily’s artwork highlights the posts that she has
lived in via a series of suitcase stickers and postcards. Emily writes, “I am glad I get to grow up
in the Foreign Service because I get to move a lot and make new friends!” In addition to her art,
Emily is an active Girl Scout who enjoys reading, playing outside and riding her bike.

AGES 13-18

1st Place: Helen Reynolds

First place in the 13-18-age category and $500 was awarded to 14-year-old Helen Reynolds for
“Welcome Home”. Helen is the daughter of Eve and Scott Reynolds. Helen and her similarly
talented little sister Melody currently reside in Ottawa and Helen has previously lived with her
family in Washington, DC, Pretoria and Moscow. Helen won first place with her artwork
depicting a girl approaching the city of Earth with a skyline featuring the world’s most famous
architectural landmarks in vibrant color. In addition to art, Helen enjoys singing, acting, playing
cello, badminton and dancing.
2nd Place: Avery Coble
Second place in the 13-18 age category and $250 was awarded to Avery Coble for “Home is
Where the Heart Is”. Avery is a rising 10th grader at Surabaya International School in Indonesia.
The daughter of Rob and Heather Coble, Avery and her family have also lived in Suva, Fiji and
Panama City, Panama. Avery’s winning artwork depicts a photo that Avery took of a mother
orangutan cuddling her baby amidst a backdrop of foreign language text, multiple translations
of the title. In addition to her photography, Avery enjoys staying active as an Epee Fencer,
scuba diver and surfer.

3rd Place: Emily Williams

Third place in the 13-18 category and $100 was awarded to Emily Williams for “My
Neighborhood”. Emily is an 8th grade student at the Jerusalem American International School in
Israel. Along with her parents, Jolynn and Jay Williams, and her brother Ivan, Emily has lived in
Russia and Australia. Emily’s winning art depicts a block of close-set houses with front
walkways colored in a variety of international flags. Emily says about her artwork, “each house
is a different house in the world that I’ve lived in. In another sense, this is a literal home town
because every post I go, I meet neighbors and friends that come from so many different
countries.“ Emily fills her time with creative pursuits, from art and writing to making movies,
and playing guitar and piano. She has written a song, the first draft of a novel, and filmed and
edited an hour-long movie (with the help of her friends).

Everyone associated with the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, the State Department Federal
Credit Union, the Family Liaison Office and the Department of State congratulates the 2013 Art
Contest winners. Together with the scores of other artists who entered the contest, they
demonstrate the creativity, skill and enthusiasm of U.S. Foreign Service youth.

Entries for the 2014 Art Contest are due in April 2014. To receive more information about the
contest and other exciting programs organized by the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, please
send an email to fsyf@fsyf.org.