In 1978, the Young American Patriotic Art Contest was established to recognize and reward high school students for expressing their patriotism visually through their art.

Tim von Behren, has always excelled in his art classes at Falls City High School. That's why Tim's classmates chose him to develop a gift for a grieving teacher who had just lost a son in Iraq. Tim took the challenge and went to work, creating a fitting tribute to a great American hero.

Noala Fritz has taught in Falls City for the past 32 years. In January of 2007, her son Jacob was killed in action in Iraq. In her time of grief, the Class of 2009 wanted to do something to help ease the pain. Tim von Behren was chosen to create the tribute to Jacob.

Tim spent the summer of 2007 working on his labor of love. Noala says, "I didn't know if Iwas ready to see what this was. Then finally one day Shelby and Tim and the other class officers came up after school and they presented this picture to me and it was overwhelming, just remarkable."

Everything in this drawing has meaning. Tim von Behren says, "The American flag, that just represents Jacob's patriotism and his life in the military, duty, honor, country."

The ladies of the American VFW awarded tim the top prize in the nation.
Tim was elated, "I didn't believe it at first and i can remember Mrs. Fritz came down and gave me a an incredible hug and i just though wow, I was still in shock. There's nothing that can replace jacob's life but this painting at least reminds Mrs. Fritz of the peace that Jacob now has because he's in heaven."

Of course, the greatest reward for Tim in creating this tribute was the look on Mrs. Fritz's face when it was presented to her, but the added bonus was that tim also received a trip to orlando to pick up his $10,000 scholarhip.

For more information on the Patriotic Art Contest go to www.ladiesauxvfw.org