2014 New Mexico Junior Duck Stamp Winners Honored at Valle de Oro NWR

This year, 210 New Mexico students have shown how much they care about saving wetland
habitat by submitting original artworks depicting ducks, geese, and swans of North America in
the just-completed Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest. The entries came from
Kindergarten through 12th Grade students from 17 schools, home school programs, and art
studio or academy classes located across the state. A ceremony was held at the Valle de Oro
National Wildlife Refuge on May 3 to honor the winners. The public and media were also
invited to attend.
Entries were judged March 21 at the Dennis Chavez Federal Building in Albuquerque by
Jennifer Owen-White, Refuge Manager of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Kathy
Caffrey of the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Dan Collins, Migratory Game
Bird Coordinator, Jason Kitting of Central New Mexico Audubon Society and Adrienne
Warner, Junior Duck Stamp Outreach Coordinator.
The Best of Show winner in the statewide contest, selected by judges on March 21, is a colored
pencil and pastel piece, titled “Aloha Nene” of a Nene goose submitted by Lily Zhang from the
Young at Art Studio in Corrales, NM. The winner’s art teacher is Tina Stallard. Lily Zhang was
presented with a pair of Eagle Optics Denali binoculars at the ceremony. This entry will go on
to compete with Best of Show winners from other states in the national Junior Duck Stamp
Contest at the National Conservation Training Center located in Shepardstown, West Virginia.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
News Release
Public Affairs Office
PO Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103
505/248-6911
505/248-6915 (Fax)The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest is a nationwide art and science-based
program for schools developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to teach greater awareness
of our natural resources. The design selected as the national winner will be reproduced on the
2014-2015 Federal Junior Duck Stamp. The national winner will be awarded a $1,000.00
scholarship and a trip to Washington D.C to participate in a special ceremony on the first day of
duck stamp sales.
Duck Stamp entries in the New Mexico contest were judged in four grade categories: K-3, 4-6,
7-9, and 10-12.
First of Show artists were:
Isaiah Abeyta of Terry Duncan Studio in Los Lunas
Hayden Stuart of Terry Duncan Studio in Los Lunas
Abigail Whitehead of Peggy Mason Studio in Roswell
Second-place winners were:
Nathaniel Arrellano - SY Jackson Elementary - Albuquerque
Isabel Otero - Private studio - Los Lunas
Daniel Saenz - Pecos High - Pecos
Dylan Zinn - Painted Iguana Art Studio - Albuquerque
Third-place winners are:
Tristin Corey - Duncan Studios - Los Lunas
Sidney Davis - SY Jackson Elementary - Albuquerque
Danielle Lopez - Duncan Studio - Los Lunas
In addition, 20 students received Honorable Mention. Place and Honorable Mention winners
were also formally recognized at the ceremony at Valle de Oro. Students submitting artwork
also had the option to enter accompanying conservation messages, which were judged
separately. Isabel Otero, won Best of Show for her message, “If you’re going to save a duck,
start with their habitat.”The 2014 Junior Duck competition in New Mexico was sponsored by Valle de Oro National
Wildlife Refuge and Friends of the Valle de Oro, which contributed toward expenses. Native
American Community Academy interns contributed to over 100 hours of time needed to
conduct the program. Jennifer Owen-White, Refuge Manager for Valle de Oro National
Wildlife Refuge in Albuquerque was statewide coordinator.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect
and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the
American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation,
known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated
professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the
people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
- http://www.southwest.fws.gov –
- http://www.fws.gov/refuge/valle_de_oro