Youth C of C Winners for 2019


Darren Corapcioglu, age 19 from Germantown, Maryland, was crowned as 2019 Youth Grand Champion at the AAPE Youth Champion of Champions (C of C) competition held during APS StampShow in Omaha,Nebraska, August 1-4, 2019.

This year's event included 9 competitive exhibits created by 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, 2018 - June 30, 2019). 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 2018-2019. Donated by WESTPEX; Presented to Darren Corapcioglu (19), representing StampShow 2018, "The First Viewcards of Turkey".

Reserve Champion - Donated by WESTPEX. Presented to Rebecca Liebson (15) representing OKPEX 2019, "The 8.4 Cent Piano Coil".

Traditional Award - Donated by WESTPEX. Best traditional exhibit. Presented to Rebecca Liebson (15) representing OKPEX, "The 8.4 Cent Americana Piano Coil".

Howard Hotchner Award - For the best portrayal of North American philately. Donated by John Hotchner. Presented to Josiah Brown (16) representing PIPEX, "Candid Philately".

ISWSC Award - Best use of worldwide stamps and material. Donated by International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors. Presented to Ramprasad Mahurkar (15), representing BALPEX, "A Dialogue with the Flying Jewels (Butterflies and Moths).

American Topical Association Youth Award and Membership donated by Don Smith - Best topical exhibit. Presented to Ramprasad Mahurkar (15), representing BALPEX, "A Dialogue with the Flying Jewels (Butterflies and Moths)".

Collectors Club of Chicago Awards
  1. CCC Title Page Award - Presented to Tia Gogri (14) representing Sarasota National Stamp Expo, "Beyond Imagination"
  2. CCC Synopsis Page Award - Presented to Tyler Kelley (13), representing Rocky Mountain Stamp Show, "Penguin Species and Popular Culture"
  3. CCC Research Award - Presented to Darren Corapcioglu (19), representing StampShow 2018, "The First Viewcards of Turkey".

WESTPEX Awards
  1. WESTPEX Philatelic Write-up Award - Presented to Amelia Kelbert (14), representing Edmonton Spring National 2019, "The World of the Monarch Butterfly"
  2. WESTPEX Creativity Award - Presented to Ramprasad Mahurkar (15), representing BALPEX, "A Dialogue with the Flying Jewels (Butterflies and Moths)".
  3. WESTPEX Judges' Choice Award for Treatment or Material - Presented to Amelia Kelbert (14), representing Edmonton Spring National 2019, "The World of the Monarch Butterfly"


APS Membership Award - Donated by Ken Martin - Presented to Tia Gogri (14), representing Sarasota National Stamp Expo, "Beyond Imagination"

AAPE Membership Award - Donated by the AAPE - Presented to Victoria Rogansky (19), representing StampShow 2018, "Ireland's Flora & Fauna: The First Ten Years"

Most Improved Award in memory of Chris Winters MD - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Rebecca Liebson (15) representing OKPEX 2019, "The 8.4 Cent Piano Coil".

Potentiality Memorial Awards in memory of Sid Nichols and Chet Allen - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Jacob Liebson (12) representing ROPEX, "What is Pokemon?" and Tyler Kelley (13) representing Rocky Mountain Stamp Show, "Penguin Species and Popular Culture"

Spirit Award in memory of Bill Norton - Donated by the Pinnacle Stamp Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. Presented to Jacob Liebson (12) representing ROPEX, "What is Pokemon?"

AAPE thanks NAPEX for its continuous support of the Youth Championship and all the generous individuals and organizations, which have so graciously donated these awards for our aspiring youth exhibitors.