Way to Go: Audrey Zhang, Levittown

Audrey Zhang, a fifth-grader at Island Trees Memorial Middle School,... — Audrey Zhang, a fifth-grader at Island Trees Memorial Middle School, was selected to represent New York State at the National Art Education Association’s 2014 National Convention in San Diego. | Here's the story

By MICHAEL EBERTmichael.ebert@newsday.comMarch 28, 2014

A Levittown student is flying high this month after her flag design was the state winner in a national art contest. The design by Audrey Zhang, a fifth-grader at Island Trees Memorial Middle School, was selected to represent New York State at the National Art Education Association's 2014 National Convention, to be held this weekend in San Diego.

It includes the phrase "Art Shapes the World" and incorporates elements of New York State, such as the Statue of Liberty and a silhouette of the Manhattan skyline.

"I just thought about what people would like to see," said Audrey, 11.

She used markers to draw the design, which was printed onto a 4-foot-by-6-foot flag. The flags of state winners across the United States are being displayed at the convention.

Audrey's other accomplishments include winning $5,000 last year in Doodle 4 Google, a contest that challenged kids to redesign Google's logo, and $10,000 for her school and $10,000 for her in Scholastic's "I Love to Read" Student Creativity Contest.

"Audrey is a sweet and talented art student," said Karen McNally, her art teacher. "Her work consistently amazes me, and her flag design is another example of her creative sense."

The Town of Hempstead earlier this month presented a citation to Audrey for her achievement in the flag-design contest.