BISMARCK, N.D. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife) – A tranquil colored-pencil rendition of a pair of Tundra swans standing in icy waters titled “Tundra Swans at Dawn” earned Best of Show honors in this year’s North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp Contest.
The artist, Ayden McPartland, a junior at Valley City High School, found inspiration for this year’s artwork after viewing the behaviors and interactions of Tundra swans as part of a school biology project.
On April 21, 2023, Ayden’s artwork will compete in the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest with competitors from all 50 states and four U.S. territories. Ayden entered the competition for the first time in 9th grade under the instruction of Valley City High School art teacher, Stephanie Krueger. As a freshman Ayden’s artwork earned 1st place recognition and as a sophomore her entry earned honorable mention, each year depicting a different North American waterfowl species.
A Runner-up Best of Show is selected in case the Best of Show winner is not able to advance to the national contest. Junior, Claire Powell received the Runner-up Best of Show award this year with her acrylic painting of a drake wood duck stretching its wings over calm water. Claire also attends school at Valley City High School.
In addition to the art contest, students are encouraged to write a conservation message. This portion of the contest is judged anonymously by U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff from across the state. Savanah McKay, a sophomore from Devils Lake, wrote this year’s winning message “Conservation is to honor those in an environment before you, and to protect those who will be there after you.” Savanah’s message will compete in the national competition on April 21, 2023. Savanah’s art entry of an American Wigeon descending toward rough water amidst a dark grey sky earned honorable mention in this year’s contest.
The Junior Duck Stamp program is a dynamic science and art-based program open to all K-12 students. Artwork is judged in four separate age categories, K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12. This year 763 students participated from across the state. A judging event took place at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge on March 30th. This year’s judges included: Kathy Bear, Tom Marple, Eric Wilson, Glee Mayer, and Stephen McDonough.
An awards ceremony will be held at the Heritage Center in Bismarck, ND on May 6th to honor all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Winning students also receive an award package that includes art and science related items. Scholarships are awarded to the top three artists and the winning conservation message in the national contest. All North Dakota winning artwork will be exhibited across the state throughout the year at national wildlife refuges, events, zoos, shopping malls, schools, Fargo Scheels and other locations throughout the year. If you are interested in learning more about the contest, please contact the North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator at colleen_graue@fws.gov.
First, second and third place winners in the four age groups are:
1st Place – Group 1 (Grade K-3)
Caleb Coleman – Baldwin
Micah Coleman – Baldwin
Lucy Jensen – Bismarck
1st Place – Group 2 (Grade 4-6)
Christopher Dunnigan – Bismarck
Taylor Goldmann – Mandan
Ramsey Liengang – Mandan
1st Place – Group 3 (Grade 7-9)
Hazel Albert – Gatesburg
Gabe Coleman – Baldwin
Vanessa Franzen – Makoti
Hailey Grenz – Valley City
1st Place – Group 4 (Grade 10-12)
Ayden McPartland – Valley City (BEST OF SHOW)
Claire Powell – Valley City (RUNNER-UP BEST OF SHOW)
Emilee Olson-Gronneberg – Valley City
2nd Place – Group 1 (Grade K-3)
Ella Haagenson – Lisbon
Stella Mathern – Bismarck
Tucker Watson – Leeds
2nd Place – Group 2 (Grade 4-6)
Dylan French – Mandan
Matthew Kvalle – Bowman
Kasia Monilaws – Hankinson
2nd Place – Group 3 (Grade 7-9)
Mathew Graue – Devils Lake
Kiyah Hayes – Valley City
Evyn Jacobson – Leeds
2nd Place – Group 4 (Grade 10-12)
Ava Jahner – Bismarck
Emmalee Jones – Valley City
Bree Peterson – Devils Lake
3rd Place – Group 1 (Grade K-3)
Ellen Finck – Bismarck
Silas Roth – Bismarck
Katie Van Neste – Bismarck
3rd Place – Group 2 (Grade 4-6)
Leila Follman – Leeds
Lillie Grohnke – Hankinson
Anslee Haggenson – Leeds
3rd Place – Group 3 (Grade 7-9)
Ethan Bro – Bismarck
Alivia Even – Valley City
Joanie McCormack – Wilton
3rd Place – Group 4 (Grade 10-12)
Kendra Green – Valley City
Sophie Lies – Bismarck
Isabella Martinez – Bismarck
