WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - A student art contest honoring American heroes drew 168 young winners to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday as part of the Freedom250 celebration.

The competition featured artwork depicting figures ranging from Babe Ruth to Sojourner Truth. Winners and their families received a trip to Washington paid for by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Among the honorees was Eva Szklarski of Grafton, North Dakota, whose piece focused on the Apollo mission and mathematician Katherine Johnson.

“My art piece depicts the rocket that first took the first astronauts to the moon and it shows math equations and that of normal shading,” Szklarski said, “because my American hero was Katherine Johnson.”

A nine-member panel judged the contest, including Second Lady Usha Vance.

“This competition is such a beautiful celebration of America’s past,” Vance said. “By the very young people who will be responsible for its future.”

Judging criteria included artistic excellence, technical skill and innovation. Winners’ artwork will be displayed at the Great American State Fair, which runs through July 10.