03/30/07 - Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest Hosted by the Friends Group and Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, with assistance from the Friends of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, hosted the 2007 Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest for Kentucky.  The judges for this years contest were (see photo below – left to right):

• Vernon Anderson, Ducks Unlimited State Conservation Committee member, Murray, Kentucky;

• David Viker, Regional Chief of the Division of Migratory Birds for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Atlanta, Georgia;

• Orville Crigler, farm manager for Publishers Press Printing of Shepardsville, Kentucky;

• Paula Lisowsky, Administrator, Janice Mason Art Museum, Cadiz, Kentucky; and Larry Cox, State Director for Senator Mitch McConnell, Louisville, Kentucky

Entries from K-12 public, private, and home school students were received from around the state. A large number of honorable mentions were awarded to the students of art instructor Sue Hein at St. Mary High School in Paducah, Kentucky. Benjamin Warren, a home schooled 11-year old from Hardin, Kentucky and his art instructor Alexis Trammell also earned an honorable mention (see photo left).

The 2007 Kentucky Junior Duck Stamp Contest best of show award went to 11-year old Sam Lutes of Union, Kentucky for his portrait of a hooded merganser (see photo below).

Three first place winners were selected from each of four grade classes; Group I (K-3), Group II (4-6), Group III (7-9), and Group IV (10-12) to compete in the national competition the winner of which would have their design made into a United States postage stamp. The quality of the art was astounding which made it difficult for the judges to make their final selections. Congratulations and thanks to all who participated!