DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (USFWS) – 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 third-place winners from North Dakota. Winning students also receive an award package that includes art- and science-related 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 Flickrsite 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.
