2 Batavia Students Finalists in USS Illinois Ship’s Crest Art Contest
Two Batavia students were finalists, but the overall winner of the USS ILLINOIS Ship’s Crest Art Contest is a young man from downstate Roseville.
Christopher M. Durdle’s crest was chosen from among 143 students who submitted designs for the ship’s crest of the USS Illinois, a $2.8 billion nuclear submarine that’s expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The USS Illinois Commissioning Committee held the contest as part of its ongoing efforts to promote awareness within the state of Illinois of the construction of the USS Illinois. Many members of the committee are part of the Aurora Navy League.
The Ship’s Crest Art Contest Selection Committee met and had a most difficult time selecting five finalists from the 149 entries.
The five finalists, in alphabetical order by last name, were:
- Angela M. Anderson, Batavia High School, Batavia, IL
- Christopher M. Durdle, Monmouth Roseville High School, Roseville, IL
- Hanna J. Frazier, Batavia High School, Batavia, IL
- Jessi M. Karlic, Lincolnway West High School, Mokena, IL
- Cyrena R. Rangel, Danville High School, Danville, IL
And and honorable mention was given to the teen class of the Illinois Center for Autism, Fairview Heights, IL.
“All were excellent, and the USS ILLINOIS (SSN-786) Commissioning Committee, and the ship itself, extend our sincere thanks for all the hard work and creativity that all entrants put into their designs,” the organization said in a press release.
The USS ILLINOIS (SSN-786) crew viewed and voted on the five finalist entries.
A Recognition Lunch for the five finalists will be held at the Union League Club of Chicago on Thursday, April 2, 2015, and the Commanding Officer of the USS ILLINOIS will present awards to these students after the lunch.
Feb. 6 Event at East Aurora High School
On Feb. 6, the general public will have an opportunity to meet and greet the commanding officer of the ship, Captain Jesse Porter, as well as several of his officers and crew. Refreshments will be served during this “meet and greet” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. outside the auditorium of East Aurora High School.
The event is free of charge to the public.
Gjovik Auto Sales in Sandwich, IL, is funding the refreshments for the public. At 7 p.m., Porter will deliver a slide presentation on the peacetime and wartime capabilities of the Virginia Class submarines (of which the USS ILLINOIS is the most recent) and allow for Q&A afterwards.
