A Bonneville County student has earned recognition in a nationwide art competition celebrating American heroes during the nation’s 250th anniversary year.
Josie Starr won the Idaho Elementary School category in the National American Heroes Student Art Contest, with her drawing of civil rights icon Katherine Johnson titled “Beyond the Stars.” Contest organizers announced winners in early July 2026 during ceremonies in Washington, D.C.
The competition invites students across the country to create artwork depicting their favorite American hero. The initiative is part of broader 250th anniversary celebrations taking place throughout 2026.
Johnson, a pioneering Black mathematician whose calculations were critical to NASA’s space program during the Cold War, has become an increasingly recognized figure in American history. Her life and contributions were recently highlighted in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” which brought her story to a wider audience.
Starr’s recognition reflects growing interest among young people in learning about lesser-known figures who shaped the nation’s history and scientific achievement. Hazelton Elementary students have previously earned national recognition for artwork celebrating space exploration and STEM figures, underscoring East Idaho’s commitment to supporting student achievement in the arts and sciences.
Idaho National Laboratory has worked to engage regional students with hands-on STEM career experiences, reflecting the broader regional focus on inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
What Comes Next
Additional details about Starr’s award, including any local recognition events or opportunities for other area students to participate in future national art competitions, have not yet been announced.