Recently two students, Addie Buchanan (fifth grade) and Amelia Morgan (third grade), won first place in the statewide Jr. Duck Stamp Competition. In the contest kids from around the nation research different eligible duck species and create a piece of artwork that shows their chosen duck in its habitat. The students then enter their art in hopes to get it on the 2023-2024 Junior Duck Stamp “which will raise funds to educate and engage our nation’s youth in wildlife and wetland conservation and outdoor recreation,” (U.S. fish and wildlife service). Both Buchanan’s and Morgan’s pictures had been selected as state winners and they now have a chance of getting their artwork on the 2023 stamp.
The girls were selected along with some other students in third to fifth grade by their art teacher, Rita Roberts to participate in her Advanced Art Class, in which each student submitted an entry for the contest. Roberts has had this class participate in the contest for the past 14 years. “Every year I just think it’s a neat thing for them to learn, like an advanced class where they get more one-on-one instruction because I only have a limited amount of kids come.”
This year Roberts selected about 13 students to participate in the class. “I work with them for about five weeks after school and they just get to pick their duck and make the most realistic artwork they can.” The students even research their duck and their habitats so everything is correct.
Buchanan had previously been selected to be in the advanced class in her third-grade year as well as this current year and has advanced to state both times. “I did this in third grade and it was way different,” said Buchanan. “I drew a different duck because I didn’t want to draw the same one and I wanted to try something different.” Buchanan shared her thoughts on winning a second year, saying that “It’s really hard to win in fifth grade because you’re going against sixth graders, so I was a little nervous, but I was very excited when I won.” She spent around four to six hours on her picture and was very proud of how it turned out. “I liked the realism of the duck because I’m really good at drawing animals and I just like realism a lot. I just like to draw stuff that’s real.”
Morgan also spent around four to six hours on her picture and enjoyed the process. “I liked drawing this, it was kinda hard to make the sky.” Although she worked hard she wasn’t expecting to win, “ I felt excited because (my friends) pictures looked really good and I wasn't sure I had the chance to win, but I won!”
Both girls' artwork will be displayed at the Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge for the next year with copies” shared Roberts, who is very proud of her students. “I was super excited, especially because Addie has won before and Addie is competing against 6th graders. So, that was super exciting and I know her artwork was beautiful, I knew she would place, I just wasn’t sure if she would be first. It looks like it’s popping off the page.”
Roberts is proud of all of her students who participated in her class and competition. There were many students who had placed second, third, or received an honorable mention from the judges. These students are Joseph Scrifes, Cort Zinser, Jonathan Caines, Maddy Wiseman, Adalyn Baker, Tara Rios-Alvarez, Willow Suvak, and Eva Kay.