Way to Go: Kiki Bustamante

Kiki Bustamante was flying high last month after creating a flag design that was chosen to represent New York State at a celebration of National Youth Art Month in Washington, D.C.

For winning, the Sayville High School sophomore's design was made into a 3-by-5 foot flag and flown alongside the other 49 state winners at the White House and at the National Art Education Association's annual convention in Seattle.

Her design consisted of a silhouette of Manhattan's skyline accompanied by the slogan: "Art Shapes Your World." It was created using Adobe's Photoshop and Illustrator softwares.

"My design was really simple, but it got the point across," said Bustamante, 15, who used a 3-D effect to make the city skyline look like it was "popping out." "It's cool knowing that my flag was flown for so many people."

The project began as a class assignment issued by Sayville's art chairwoman Julia Lang Shapiro, Bustamante said, after Shapiro learned of the design competition hosted by the nonprofit Council for Art Education.

"Kiki is a phenomenal art student and I hope she continues along this path," Shapiro said.

Bustamante is a member of her school's Art Honor Society and cross country track team.