Newcastle Middle School eighth grade student Catelyn Tortolini won first place for her duck stamp entry in the area, and then won Best of Show. She has earned the right to compete in a national contest for Oklahoma.
Tortolini had entered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Junior Duck Stamp Program. It uses a combination of art and science to engage students in environmental conservation and stewardship.
Contest information indicates, “This dynamic education program uses both conservation and art and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to students in kindergarten through high school. The program provides an opportunity for students to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence, and beauty of wildlife.”
Tortolini, along with other artists, submitted an image of a native North American duck, swan, or goose. Artwork entries are submitted to the state coordinator and judged on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1” by 1.5” stamp. Judging for the Oklahoma Junior Duck Stamp Contest occurred in March. Students are judged in four groups according to grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.
Three first, three second, and three third place entries, along with honorable mentions are selected from each group. Contest judges also selected Best of Show and Best Conservation Message winners from the first place winners, including Tortolini’s, which will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered into the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest held in April.
The top three winners in Best of Show and Best Conservation Message of the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest will receive scholarships. Furthermore, the first place art from the national contest is used to create the National Junior Duck Stamp.
The Junior Duck Stamp is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from National Wildlife Refuges. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.
