Kristina Bohrman, Pocono Mountain West High School 2005 Best of Show

Students are invited to enter the federal Junior Duck Stamp Program Art Contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and hosted in Pennsylvania by the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia.

Entries must be postmarked by March 15.

All entries for the contest need to be of native North American waterfowl species painted or drawn and sent to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153 and postmarked by March 15.

Open to all students aged K-12, the federal Junior Duck Stamp Program combines environmental education with the arts as youth in each of four age classes (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 grades) compete for prizes and the chance to move on to national judging in Washington.

First, second, third and honorable mention winners will be judged for each age group and the overall best of show will then compete for the national prize.

Last year Kristina Bohrman, age 16 and a Junior at Pocono Mountain West High School, Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania, won Best-of-Show in the Pennsylvania Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest.

Kristina designed a drake wood duck in watercolor to win First Place, grades 10-12 and Best-of-Show. Bohrman’s winning entry was forwarded to the Best-in-the-Nation Competition, to compete with entries from all states and two U.S. Territories for the National Grand Prize.

First Place National Winner receives a $5,000 cash award and a free trip to Washington, DC in the summer of 2006 to attend the First Day of Sales Ceremony, along with art teacher, one parent/guardian, and the Junior Duck Stamp state coordinator. The national first place winning design is used to produce the Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

The Second Place Winner receives a $3,000 cash award; and the Third Place Winner receives a $2,000 cash award. A separate judging will be held for the Conservation Message with the following awards: First Place $500; Second Place $300; and Third Place $200. All National and State winning designs will be displayed during the year and returned to the students.

Contest entries are grouped in four categories by grade level. In addition to the Best-of-Show winner, there will be three first place winners, three second place winners and three third place winners in each category. There will also be 16 honorable mentions in each age category. Each entrant will receive a certificate of participation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Program and Design Contest, contact State Coordinator, Gary M. Stolz at 215-365-3118, e-mail gary_stolz@fws.gov or write: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153.

Applications and further details can also be obtained on line at the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest webpage.

2/3/2006