Fillion wins youth champion of champions at Stampshow

Annika Fillion was named the 2015 youth grand champion at the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors’ youth champion of champions competition held during the American Philatelic Society Stampshow Aug. 20-23 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Fillion’s postal history exhibit, “U.S. Domestic Rates for First Class Surface Postal and Post Cards Between 1873 and Today” qualified for the youth champion of champions by winning the youth grand award at Ameristamp Expo 2014.

Fillion, who is 13, has participated in previous AAPE youth championships and has two sisters who are also excellent youth exhibitors.

Adam Mangold, 15, won the 2015 reserve grand award for his exhibit “Building a Nation … One State at a Time.”

The AAPE youth champion of champions takes place annually at the APS Stampshow. This year, 13 young collectors, ranging in age from 11 to 18 qualified and competed, each having won a youth grand award at an APS World Series of Philately show.

The young exhibitors also vied for 24 different awards donated by Napex, Westpex, the Pinnacle Stamp Club, the American Topical Association and individuals, including John Hotchner, Alan Barasch, Don Smith and Ken Martin.

This year’s judges were Liz Hisey from Florida and David McNamee from California.

Additional details of other awards and winners and about membership in the society can be found on the AAPE website.