16-Year-Old Sitka High School Student Wins 'Paint the Plane' Contest

Alaska Airlines announced today that Hannah Hamberg, 16, of Sitka is the winner of the State of Alaska's "Paint the Plane" contest. Her artwork will adorn an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-400 jet in honor of the state's 50th anniversary in 2009.

The talented artist, dancer, cheerleader and community volunteer unveiled her winning artwork today at a statehood ceremony held at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.

Accompanied by her parents, Barth and Mary Alice Hamberg of Sitka, the teen was honored by Governor Sarah Palin as well as representatives from Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Statehood Celebration Commission and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, who supported the contest.

Hamberg's design depicts a musher and sled dog and features other icons symbolic of the state.

"Growing up in a small town in Alaska, I've seen how Alaskans work together and help each other," said Hamberg. "I came up with the idea of a musher being pulled by several sled dogs. Then I looked at my sketch and thought about all the amazing things that surround me every day -- the wild animals, the people, and culture."

Hamberg's final drawing depicts a ferry, Native Alaskan canoe, bear and whale in place of some of the sled dogs, indicative of the state's unique heritage.

Hamberg's design was one of thousands submitted by students in grades kindergarten through 12 from public, private and home schools throughout the state. A selection panel comprised of artists and other dignitaries from throughout Alaska selected the winning entry.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the state's anniversary in such a dramatic way," said Bill MacKay, Alaska Airlines' senior vice president for the state of Alaska. "We are incredibly proud that our aircraft bear the state's name, and this plane with Hannah's artwork will no doubt have a very special place in all of our hearts as we usher in the state's Golden Anniversary."

In addition to having her design chosen to grace the airplane, Hamberg, along with finalists from each grade level, received a trip to Disneyland Resort. In all, 13 trips for four to Disneyland Resort were awarded, which include round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the park.

To view the winning design, and those of grade-level finalists, go to http://www.PaintThePlane.com.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Traditional Network Carriers (tie)" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.