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 contributed….This year’s winner of Wisconsin’s Best of Show in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest is 15 year old Logan Wimme from Wisconsin Rapids. Wimme’s colored pencil entry of a pair of surf scoters will compete for the title of Best of Show in the National Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest, held at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland on April 20, 2012.

The 2012 Wisconsin contest drew 624 entries from students in 47 schools. Entries were from 7 year olds in first grade, up to high school students whose work is of professional quality. The artwork is judged in four age classes and the best of show is selected from each class’s first place entries. “There were so many amazingly detailed entries from all age groups this year. But what is perhaps more inspiring is the fact that 624 Wisconsin students have learned important lessons about the need to conserve wetland habitat through participating in the Junior Duck Stamp Program,” said Daniel Peterson, Wisconsin Federal Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator.

Logan Wimme has been the runner up the last two years in the contest. “Winning best of show in the state at such a young age demonstrates his potential for the future”, states Peterson. Wimme’s inspiration comes from spending time outdoors. As avid hunters, the Wimme family spends a lot of time duck hunting. Logan’s artistic ability has been crafted by friends of the family who are artists. Wimme attends East Junior High in Wisconsin Rapids, but created his entry from home.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest is a dynamic educational program that uses both conservation and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to students in kindergarten through high school. The program provides an opportunity for students across the nation to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence and beauty of wildlife.

Wisconsin students submitted their single piece of artwork featuring one North American waterfowl to the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge on March 15, 2012. Artwork entries were then judged on Friday, March 30, 2012 at the refuge on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1” by 1.5” stamp.

During the contest, student entries were judged in four classes according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Three first, three second and three third place entries, along with 16 honorable mentions were selected from each group. Contest judges select a “Best of Show” from the twelve first place winners. Wimme’s entry has since been submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and will be entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest to be held on April 20, at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. The national winner of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest, along with his/her parent or guardian and teacher will receive a free trip to a First Day of Sale ceremony in late June/early July. The national winner also receives a $5,000 award. The second place winner receives $3,000 and the third-place winner receives $2,000. Wimme will receive a $100 prize for his Wisconsin best of show entry from the Friends of Necedah National Wildlife Refuge.

The first place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp each year. The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many National Wildlife Refuges. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge has served as the coordinating host site for Wisconsin’s contest since 1994. The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association has sponsored the contest since then as well, not only helping with the contest, but also promoting and contributing awards and recognition to the winning artists.

This year’s judges for the Wisconsin Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest were Ashly Steinke, field biologist with the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association; Mark Pfost, Private Lands Biologist for Necedah National Wildlife Refuge; Nancy Steinback, retired art teacher and volunteer at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge; Jay Jocham, professional artist; and Diane Dahl, professional artist.

“We saw a lot of wonderful artwork. Each judge has a different background and point of view so the finalists are always the finest pieces of art”, said Jay Jocham, judge for the Wisconsin contest. “The advice I would offer to students who entered this year is to pay attention to detail, be creative, and try to incorporate water and water plants into your artwork. And remember, the more you practice, the better you will be”, Jocham stated.

Winning entries have been reproduced and will be shown in three traveling displays at over 20 locations in Wisconsin. For a schedule of the traveling display locations, to host the display, and / or for information and entry forms for the 2013 contest please contact the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge by email at Necedah@fws.gov , by calling (608) 565- 2551, or visit the refuge online at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/necedah/.

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