Art in Nature...
Artists bring to life award winning ND Jr. Duck Stamp creations
The North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp judging was held at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake on March 28th.
The Jr. Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program began nationally in 1990 with eight states participating, North Dakota joined in 1993. The program has grown to include participants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories with over 15,000 participants nationwide.
Congratulations to Best of Show Winner, Ayden McPartland, Conservation Message Winner - Aiden McCombs and a huge shout-out to all the VCPS artists who shared their beauty and talent with the world.
Valley City High School Art Instructor, Stephani Krueger, shared with the Times-Record, “I am so proud of all the VCHS artists for their commitment to their craft and to their dedication to helping conservation efforts for the state of North Dakota. Behind the scenes of these beautiful artworks, VCHS art students work tirelessly for almost a month researching, photographing, sketching, and creating these beautiful works of art. The North Dakota Jr Duck Stamp Contest allows our students to combine not only art but math, science, language arts, and more within the art classroom curriculum. More schools should look at entering this fun but educational competition.”
Official release courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
NORTH DAKOTA – Ayden McPartland, a senior at Valley City High School, earned Best of Show honors for the second year in a row in the North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
Her entry of a drake Northern pintail resting peacefully on calm water rose to the top during last Thursday’s judging event held at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake
“I enjoy seeing the contrasting colors of the pintails when they arrive in the spring. They are just such a beautiful bird.” Ayden shared when asked what inspired her to choose the Northern pintail for her entry this year. Introduced to the Junior Duck Stamp Program as a freshman at Valley City High School, Ayden has placed in the contest every year for the past four years. Ayden will graduate this spring and plans to attend Minneapolis College of Art and Design with emphasis in illustrations and teaching. With her love for the outdoors, participating in the adult Federal Duck Stamp contest may also be in her future.
McPartland’s artwork will compete in the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest on April 19th in Falls Church, VA with competitors from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. The top piece of art in the nation – chosen at this annual competition – is featured on the Junior Duck Stamp, sales of which support educational programs and activities that nurture our next generation of conservationists.
Joanie McCormack, an eight-grader who attends Wilton Public Schools received the Runner-up Best of Show award this year with her colored pencil entry of a Spectacled eider. She titled her entry, “Color within the Grey” Her advice to future competitors is to “focus on the details and don’t rush through the process, enjoy it.”
A panel of five judges chose the top 25 art entries in each of four separate age categories (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12). A total of 1,055 entries were received from North Dakota students in kindergarten through grade twelve. This year’s judges included: Mark Staples, Jeff Hoff, Svetlana Leer, Doug Darling, and Mark Fisher.
In addition to the art contest, students are encouraged to write a conservation message inspired by what they have learned while participating in the Junior Duck Stamp program.
This portion of the contest was judged anonymously by U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff and conservation partners from across the state. Aidyn McCombs, a sophomore from Valley City, wrote this year’s winning message: “Conservation is the voice for those who cannot speak.” Aidyn’s
message will represent North Dakota in the national competition on April 19th.
An awards ceremony will be held May 11th at the Heritage Center in Bismarck to honor all first-, second- and thirdplace winners from North Dakota. Winning students also receive an award package that includes art- and sciencerelated items.
All 2024 North Dakota winning artwork will be exhibited across the state throughout the year at national wildlife refuges, events, zoos, shopping malls, schools, Scheels and other locations across the state. The top 100 entries can be viewed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Flickr site at https://www. flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/albums/ 72177720315883004
The Junior Duck Stamp Program began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp. The first national Junior Duck Stamp art contest was held in 1993. The program encourages students to explore their natural world, participate in outdoor recreation activities, and learn wildlife management principles. Approximately 3,000 Junior Duck Stamps are sold annually for $5 each.
You can purchase Junior Duck Stamps online through the U.S. Postal Service and Amplex and in-person at some national wildlife refuges. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps are used for recognition of individuals who submit winning designs in state or national competitions and to further activities related to the conservation education goals of the program. 2024 first, second and third place
winners in the four age groups:
1st Place - Group 1
(Grade K-3) Caleb Coleman - Baldwin
Lizzie Bro - Bismarck
Harper Hurtt – Hoople/
Crystal
1st Place - Group 2 (Grade 4-6)
Essence Bell – Halliday
Ava Wissink- Halliday
Aubrey Clarke - Mandan
1st Place - Group 3 (Grade 7-9)
Joanie McCormack – Wilton (RUNNER-UP BEST OF SHOW)
Gabe Coleman – Baldwin
Layni Bakalar – Valley City
1st Place - Group 4
(Grade 10-12) Ayden McPartland – Valley City (BEST OF SHOW)
Francheska FloresGargarita – Valley City
Bree Peterson – Devils Lake
2nd Place - Group 1 (Grade K-3)
Isaac Laducer – Devils Lake
Emma Buchhoz – Bismarck
Maggi Myklebust – Devils Lake
2nd Place - Group 2 (Grade 4-6)
Barrett Kangas – Alexander
Bennett Jacobson – Leeds
Cassia Coleman – Baldwin
2nd Place - Group 3
(Grade 7-9)
Coltere Porter – Halliday
Brooklyn Barclay -Hannaford/Wimbledon
Josiah Walla - Bismarck
2nd Place - Group 4
(Grade 10-12)
Angela Chen – Devils Lake
Hailley Grenz – Valley City
Vanessa Fransen –
Makoti
3rd Place - Group 1
(Grade K-3)
Ian Delaney – Alexander
Alaska Bowers – Wilton
Cora Hackley - Alexander
3rd Place - Group 2
(Grade 4-6)
Kenadie Bosse – Wimbledon
Frannie Kennelly – Bismarck
Matthew Kvale - Bowman
3rd Place - Group 3 (Grade 7-9)
Gwen Signalness – Watford City
Cadence Fetsch – Valley City
Anslee Haagenson Leeds
3rd Place - Group 4 (Grade 10-12)
Sadie Pierce – Beulah
Aubrey Feil – Beulah
Charlize Trullinger –
Valley City
Honorable Mention Winners Include: Group 1 (K-Grade 3)
Emerson Allex – Bismarck
Brooklyn Coleman – Devils Lake
Sadie Dalbol – Mandan
Dustin Forstie – Alexander
Harlow Harkness – Leeds
Azaeliah Howard – Bismarck
Eli Jacobsen – Hope Elia Johannesson – Cavalier
Kendal Kenner – Devils Lake
Olivia Klym – Bismarck
Mia Medina – Alexander
Lauren Miller – Bismarck
Hudson Schneider – Bismarck
Kenley Soderstrom – Devils Lake
Easton Tofsrud – Leeds
Jastin Young - Alexander
Group 2 (Grades 4-6)
Jersey Artz – Bismarck
Marilyn Boyd – Mandan
Abby Bro – Bismarck
Micah Coleman – Baldwin
Reagan Eisenzimmer – Bismarck
Kade Fetting – Bismarck
Madison Glatt - Bismarck
Herminio Guzman – Leeds Harlow/Leeds Lena Haagenson – Kensington Jias – Mandan Anna Kirkeide – York/
Leeds
Reese Mortensen – Stanley
Silas Mossett – Halliday
Cooper Pfau – Lincoln/Bismarck
Gabriella Vogel – Bismarck
Zlata Yurchak - Bismarck
Group 3
(Grades 7-9)
Chloe Ethen – Kenmare
Lillie Grohnke – Hankinson
Mady Guscetter – Wimbledon
Mataura Hoffman – Wimbledon
Addison Leick – Valley City
Kailyn Moldenhauer – Kenmare
Kasia Monilaws – Hankinson
Gage Mossett – Halliday
Annaliese Mueller – Wimbledon
Evy Mutchler – Northwood
Chloe Olson - Wimbledon
Brianna Olson – Halliday
LillyAnna Ricker – Halliday
William Small – Moffit
Ceanna Walker – Valley City
Jossi Zahn – Valley City
Group 4 (Grades 10-12)
Colton Boechler – Grand Forks
Ethan Bro – Bismarck
Alivia Even – Valley City
Gavin Fowler – Valley City
Shonte Gonzales – Valley City
Kiyah Hayes – Valley City
Tessa Kinney – Valley City
Sophie Landin – Minot/Roseglen
Braiden Marsette – Garrison/Roseglen
Damien Olsen – Sanborn/Wimbledon
Isabelle Pickar – Valley City Willow – Beulah RobersonKitzman Claire Shanenko – Valley City Jada Shultz - Beulah Kylee Swenson – Valley City Matayia Thompson – Rogers/Wimbledon The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.
For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http:// www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook. com/USFWSMountainPrairie, follow our tweets at http://twitter. com/USFWSMtnPrairie, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www. youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http:// www.flickr.com/photos/ usfwsmtnprairie/al