Youth Art Month 2001 "Flags Across America"

The New Jersey 2001 Youth Art Month flag design was created by an artist and 12th grade student at Edison High School. She had her Youth Art Month flag design reproduced onto a large flag which was flown in Washington, D.C. alongside flags created by students from other states in the nation.

The NJ YAM flag designer poses with her flag at the ceremony.

Student flag designers stand in front of a display of their flags.

A special ceremony called "Flags Across the U.S. Flying High" was held on Thursday, March 1, 2001. All student flag designers were invited to attend. New Jersey's winning designer was joined at the ceremony by her family, her art teacher Mrs. Jann Benzilio-Rudnick, and Valerie Negra, President of the Art Educators of New Jersey.

The NJ YAM flag designer poses with her family at the flag at the ceremony.

The NJ YAM flag designer and her art teacher, Mrs. Jann Benzilio-Rudnick.

This special ceremony also celebrated the 40th anniversary of Youth Art Month, which has been celebrated nationally since 1961. Remarks and special tributes were made by Deborah Fanning, Executive Vice President of the Council for Art Education, Inc., and Cheryl M. Lee, National Youth Art Month Coordinator.

The NJ YAM flag designer and her flag are introduced at the ceremony by Deborah Fanning.

The NJ YAM flag designer and Cheryl M. Lee display the flag to all who attended the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the student designed flags were flown in various locations in Washington, D.C. Then they were prominently displayed at the National Art Education Association Annual Conference in New York City from March 13 through 18, 2001.