We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 North Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. Judging for the contest was held on April 1, 2026 at the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitor Center. Five judges considered 105 entries from K-12 students across the state. Thank you to all students, teachers, and parents who participated!
Ashley Zhang, 16, of Charlotte, NC won Best of Show in the North Carolina Federal Junior Duck Stamp 2026 Art Competition with an acrylic depiction of a pair of Wood Ducks entitled Drifting in Harmony.
The Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest integrates art and science in order to teach environmental science and habitat conservation through art. The First-Place national winning design is used to create a Federal Junior Duck Stamp each year. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps (which cost $5 and are available at your local post office) support conservation education by providing awards and scholarships for the students, teachers, and schools that participate in the program. For further information visit the Junior Duck Stamp Program web page, or for more information on purchasing stamps visit the Federal Duck Stamp web page.
The contest is open to all students K-12 and is first judged within the student’s state of residence. The Best of Show Winner of each State competes to become the National Winner.
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. For further information about the Junior Duck Stamp Contest, please contact Sarah Toner.
2026 North Carolina Junior Duck Stamp Results (Alphabetical Order)
Best of Show
Ashley Zhang, Charlotte
Best of Show Conservation Message
"Conservation is the key to a better world. Let's unlock it." Ashley McMenamin, Hampstead
GROUP I (Grades K-3)
First Place
Amy Li, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Alex Meng, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Grace Wang, Apex
Second Place
Jenny Fang, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Adeline Tian, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Leon Zheng, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Third Place
Archer Berdeau, Surf City Elementary, Hampstead
GROUP II (Grades 3-6)
First Place
Aaron Chen, Sunberry Art Studio, Charlotte
Charlotte Chen, Greensboro
James Zhang, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Second Place
Parker Antonez, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Joshua Cao, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Ellie Qiao, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Third Place
Maverick Guy, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Madison Ingel, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Marlowe Mitchell, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Top Honorable Mention
Zachary Lambert, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Honorable Mention
Clara Bowers, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Penelope Branham, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Ahri Estupinan, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Walles Houston, R.L. Wallace Christian Academy, Shawboro
Hailey Keller, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Julia Leasiolagi, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Addy Longo, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Noah Martinez, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Ashley McMenamin, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Emily McMenamin, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Bailey Moore, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Stella Myers, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Harper Patton, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Joseph Peragine, Clever Academy, Alexander
Claire Williams, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
GROUP III (Grades 7-9)
First Place
Emma Chen, Sunberry Art Studio, Charlotte
Amy Han, Water Dragon Art Space, Chapel Hill
Timothy Yu, Sunberry Art Studio, Concord
Second Place
Ryan Li, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Lucas Li, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Harry Roy, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Third Place
William Houston, R.L. Wallace Christian Academy, Shawboro
Makayla Parmentier, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Lucy Tracy, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Top Honorable Mention
Caroline Shepard, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Honorable Mention
Kalyn Barker, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Ivan Bogdan, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Kennedi Brayton, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Emise Butanis, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Kaylina Courtright, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Reagan Davis, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Samantha Finch, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Emma Harris, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Dahlia Kuchta, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Camille McEwan, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Bailey Orellana, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Olivia Withers, Surf City Middle School, Hampstead
Faith Zhang, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
William Zhang, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
Grace Zhang, Yan's Art Studio, Durham
GROUP IV (Grades 10-12)
First Place
Serah Mobin, Davidson
James Russell, Topsail High School, Hampstead
Ashley Zhang, Charlotte
Second Place
Claire Chen, Sunberry Art Studio, Charlotte
Cambria Houston, R.L. Wallace Christian Academy, Shawboro
Haydyn Osterhout, Matthews
