For many of the winners, packing for New York was the very first time. The excitement and anticipation building in their hearts would be unimaginable for some.

And then they arrived. There was a bounce in their step. And a prayer in their hearts – for good weather!

The Weather Gods conceded to the prayers. It was near perfect weather for the two days that the Winners were in New York.

All winners from 7 states, along with a parent and Art Educator each, arrived on Friday evening to enjoy a hearty dinner and retired to get some shut-eye after some very long travel itineraries. They came from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, Alabama, California and even Hawaii.

Saturday began bright and early with the Awards Breakfast. Each inspiring Art Educator presented her or his winning Art Student with a personalized framed Certificate. The photographs in the folder alongside (Awards Breakfast) document the pride each student, teacher and parent experienced on receiving this honor as well as the delight of Sargent Art on hosting the winners.

The much awaited “touch down” in New York began at one of the most well known landmarks of the City – Central Park. And we could not have asked for better weather. We took the short walk across the park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After appreciating a few masterpieces and trying to understand ancient cultures, we left for the Rockefeller Center. Some of us explored the shops on the Avenue of the Americas before lunch, while some explored them after lunch.

We then took the super fast elevator to the Top-of-the-Rock which took us up more than 70 floors in a matter of mere seconds – akin to an amusement park experience! The views of this exceptional city form the topmost viewing gallery on a clear day were simply breathtaking.

It was time for some more Art education and culture at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA).

A relaxed and delectable family-style dinner at Tony’s DiNapoli was quite rejuvenating after a long eventful day.

But there was more – If the finger licking spread did not renew our energies, the most recognizable and colorful setting of the city certainly did – Times Square was up next.

Oh, and we also watched a Broadway Show - the Lion King.

Take the tour with us in the folder alongside (A Winner gets it All).

Sunday started right on cue. Right after Breakfast we boarded the Ferry to view the one sight which makes any trip to New York complete and probably the ‘signature’ of this city - Statue of Liberty.

We walked through the Financial District and saw the ‘hallowed’ New York Stock Exchange on the famous infamous Wall Street.

We paid our respects to the fallen heroes at Ground Zero. The photographs are in the folder alongside (Ground Zero).

Next stop - the art inspired area of Greenwich Village and SoHo, where some saw street art, some artists’ lofts and some eclectic studios. Some did a little art enthused shopping. All of us had lunch here. The strong cultural vibe in this part of town was clearly identifiable.

Then it was the ride to the airport for those who were flying back home and to the hotel for those who were driving back home. It was time to say Good-bye.

There was no consensus on what was the highlight of the trip. Each of us had a different opinion.

But we agreed on one point - that we would treasure all the memories for a long, long time.

The folder (The City Sights) has photographs that have captured the various spots where we stopped along the way to listen to the interesting facts and tidbits of history that our Tour Guide, Matt, was constantly educating us with throughout the two days in the City.