Apr 5, 2018
Southern California teen wins California Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest
California Waterfowl Director of Water Law and Policy Jeff Volberg selects a piece of art to advance to the finals of the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Out of more than 2,300 submissions, there could be only one winner of the California State Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.
That decision fell on the shoulders of nine judges, who spent hours examining the submissions at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. They pored over thousands of colorful depictions of all manner of waterfowl - pintail, wood duck, hooded merganser, swan, mallard and many more - in search of the Best in Show, the painting that would advance to the national competition and have a chance to become the next Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
In the end, after a spirited debate between two finalists, the Best in Show was given to Ari Cho, 16, of Rancho Palos Verdes, for her rendition of a hooded merganser.
California Junior Duck Stamp Contest Best in Show winner by Ari Cho.
First, second and third prize, as well as honorable mentions, were selected from all four age groups. The groups were separated by grade - kindergarten through third, fourth through sixth, seventh through ninth and 10th through 12th. Beyond that, every student who participates learns about waterfowl and wetland conservation and is encouraged and challenged to explore the outdoors and investigate the world they inhabit.
At California Waterfowl, where we believe in teaching and training the future stewards of our waterfowl and wetlands, it's a program we can get behind.
Every year, CWA teaches upwards of 9,000 students throughout California about the Junior Duck Stamp Program. Students receive a 45-minute biology lesson based on grade level standards, along with a 15-minute drawing lesson so that students can compete in the Junior Duck Stamp Contest. The program is free, and our educators travel anywhere within a three-hour radius of Roseville to reach as many students as possible. We teach primarily at Title 1 and inner city schools, where students often have very little access to art and science programs.
"Our goal is to help students of all backgrounds become better educated about the importance of waterfowl and wetlands, and the Junior Duck Stamp Program does just that," said Education Coordinator Molly Maupin. "It is a fun and super interactive way to get them more involved in conservation. All they have to do is draw a picture of a duck!"
The winning artwork from a national art contest serves as the design for the Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces annually. This $5 stamp has become a much sought after collector's item. One hundred percent of the revenue from the sale of Junior Duck stamps goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program.
