Christina Esbeck, age 14 from St. Louis, Missiouri, was crowned as 2023 Youth Grand Champion at the AAPE Youth Champion of Champions (C of C) competition held during Great American StampShow in Cleveland, OH, August 10-13, 2023.

This year's event included 7 competitive exhibits created by youth aged 12 - 17. Exhibitors qualified for the Championship by winning AAPE Youth Grand Awards at nationally accredited shows in the U.S. and Canada throughout the season (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023). Besides the designation of "Grand Champion", many other donated awards were presented. In recognition of their high level of achievement, all participants received Fran Jennings memorial medals. Awards consisted of cash and memberships; all participants received Merit Certificates and ribbons.

The complete listing of awards is as follows:

Youth Champion of Champions - the best youth exhibit shown in North America in 2022-2023. Donated by WESTPEX. Presented to Christina Esbeck (14), representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "CUPCAKES"

Reserve Champion - Donated by WESTPEX. Presented to Adhyatman Argarwala (16) representing San Diego Stamp Show, "Ecuadorian Slogan-Based Covers Related to the Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict of 1941"

Postal History Award - Donated by WESTPEX. Best postal history exhibit. Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala (16) representing San Diego Stamp Show, "Ecuadorian Slogan-Based Covers Related to the Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict of 1941"

Howard Hotchner Award - For the best portrayal of North American philately. Donated by John Hotchner. Presented to Xander Haislip (12) representing WESTPEX, "Dog Sledding in Alaska"

ISWSC Award - Best use of worldwide stamps and material. Donated by International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors. Presented to David Geyfman (17), representing CHICAGOPEX, "Judo Techniques Featured Throughout the Olympics"

American Topical Association Youth Award and Membership donated by Don Smith - Best topical exhibit. Presented to Christina Esbeck (14), representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "CUPCAKES"

Collectors Club of Chicago Awards

1. CCC Title Page Award - Presented to David Geyfman (17), representing CHICAGOPEX, "Judo Techniques Featured Throughout the Olympics"
2. CCC Synopsis Page Award - Presented to Xander Haislip (12), representing WESTPEX, "Dog Sledding in Alaska"
3. CCC Research Award - Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala(16), representing WESTPEX, "Coffee! Early Cancellations and Slogans in Latin America and the Caribbean"

WESTPEX Awards

1. WESTPEX Philatelic Write-up Award - Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala (16), representing San Diego Stamp Show, "Ecuadorian Slogan-Based Covers Related to the Ecuador-Peru Border Conflict of 1941"
2. WESTPEX Creativity Award - Presented to Xander Haislip (14), representing WESTPEX, "Dog Sledding in Alaska"
3. WESTPEX Judges' Choice Award for Treatment or Material - Presented to Christina Esbeck (14), representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "CUPCAKES"

APS Membership Award - Donated by Ken Martin - Presented to Xander Haislip (12), representing WESTPEX, "Dog Sledding in Alaska"

AAPE Membership Award - Donated by the AAPE - Presented to Sjon Brejtfus (17), representing San Diego Stamp Show, "Railroad Companies and Perfins"

Most Improved Award - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Christina Esbeck(14), representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "CUPCAKES"

Potentiality Memorial Awards in memory of Sid Nichols and Chet Allen - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Xander Haislip (12), representing WESTPEX, "Dog Sledding in Alaska", David Geyfman, representing CHICAGOPEX, "Judo Techniques Throughout the Olympics", and to Christina Esbeck (14), representing St. Louis Stamp Expo, "CUPCAKES"

Spirit Award - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Adhyatman Agarwala (16), representing WESTPEX, "Coffee! Early Cancellations and Slogans in Latin America and the Caribbean"

AAPE thanks all the generous individuals and organizations, which have so graciously donated these awards for our aspiring youth exhibitors.