Contacts:
Mike Hobbs, Public Affairs, 706 613-9493 x36
Deborah Harris, Jr. Duck Stamp Art Contest Coordinator, 706 613-9493 x24

Images of artwork and Whitney Barton are available for downloading at http://athens.fws.gov.

Eighteen Year-old Art Lawrenceville Art Student
Receives State and National Honors in Georgia and Washington, D.C.

A Lawrenceville high school senior has been honored for achievements in outstanding artistry and wildlife conservation. Eighteen-year-old Whitney Barton's portrayal of Blue-winged Teal received Best-of-Show honors this spring at the 2004 Georgia Junior Duck Stamp art contest. Her artwork has now gained an Honorable Mention during judging at the national competition in Washington, D.C.

For her excellent work, Whitney was awarded national and state honors by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), sponsor of the competition. Days before graduation from Collins Hill High School, Whitney was presented a check for $250.00 along with ribbons and certificates for First-Place, Best of Show and National Honorable Mention.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is an art contest and science program designed to teach students about wildlife and habitat conservation. The original adult Federal Duck Stamp art contest began back in 1934 and has since secured 5.2 million acres of wetland habitat through sales of art reproduced in stamp form. The first Junior Duck Stamps were created in 1989 based upon the earlier adult program to provide conservation education opportunities for students as they compete for national scholarships worth today up to 4,000 dollars.

"We have some very gifted artists and conservationists in Georgia," says Deborah Harris, Georgia Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator. Harris who presented the awards at Collins Hill High has watched Whitney's progress over the years and was especially taken by this year's depiction using color pencils and watercolors. "I love Whitney's piece with its beautiful blues and purples."

Barton's involvement goes back to the sixth grade, winning in her age category that year after a teacher's encouragement to enroll. Since then, she has placed four more times, even winning Georgia Best of Show once before in 2001.

"To be perfectly honest, Whitney did it on her own," says Karen Campbell, art teacher at Collin Hills High. Describing Whitney's research into native waterfowl and her study of entries by other students, Campbell reiterates, "She has that independence where she can research on her own."

Barton says the contest "started out just about art," but that she has since gained a greater appreciation of wildlife. "I love animals, and I love ducks. I've seen the Blue-winged Teal in the wild, and it hadn't been on a junior duck stamp yet, so I was inspired to draw the teal this year."

Following graduation, Whitney plans to study art education at the University of Georgia, and compete in the adult Federal Duck Stamp competition. She may also help with next year's state junior competition as a volunteer.

Whitney's artwork is now touring nationwide with the 2004 first place winner and other Best-of-Show entries, including at the prestigious Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, S.C. These national winners can also be seen at http://duckstamps.fws.gov/.

Her Blue-winged teal can also be seen in Georgia during the state tour of Georgia's 100 Junior Duck Stamp winners. While the complete schedule is not available until later this summer, stops are scheduled at the Gardens of Callaway, and the Georgia Wildlife Federation Outdoor show in Atlanta. These top winners in Georgia may also be seen at http:Athens.fws.gov.