Missisquoi Valley Union Student wins Best Of Show
In the 2003 Vermont Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest

BFA Fairfax Had Two First Place Winners
Two Second Place Winners
One Honorable Mention
Grade School Art Teacher was Cynthia Pease and High School was Deb Walford - Congratulations to both students and teachers


Edward Gagne, 16, of Highgate, Vermont and a student at Missisquoi Valley Union Highschool placed Best of Show in the Vermont Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. Edward's winning entry was an oil painting of a pair of Ring Neck Ducks entitled "Campbell's Bay Marshers".

Edward submitted his rendering of the ring neck ducks to the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in March. His entry was judged, by a panel of five judges including David Sausville, Jenna Speer, Jeremy Brooks, Ron Kilburn, and Dick Rollo, as being best of show from among 192 entries received from across the state. Students in kindergarten through highschool may enter the contest each year. First, second, and third place winners are selected in each of four age groups. Many other entries receive honorable mention awards.

First Place Winners in the State of Vermont - Group II (4-6):

Samuel Zelley of Fairfax, Mariah Woodward of Fairfax, and Abbie Gordon of Essex Jct.

Every state, as well as the District of Columbia, participates in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design contest. The contest is modeled after the Service's Federal Duck Stamp Art competition. The Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is part of an innovative educational curriculum that teaches students in grades K-12 about wetlands and waterfowl conservation.

Second Place Winners in the State of Vermont From BFA - Group II (4-6):

Matthew Lawrence

Honorable Mention in the State of Vermont From BFA - Group III (7-9):

Cherie Pfeiffer

Second place in the State of Vermont From BFA - Group IV (10-12):

Allison Ziegler

Below are photos taken at a special assembly held at BFA, Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.


Students and parents listen as Cynthia Pease speaks about the winners in the photo above and below


Cynthia Pease explains the background study involved by the 3 winners


Mariah Woodward displays her First Place Award


Samuel Zelley display his First Place award


Matthew Lawrence displays his Second Place award


The crowd applauds the students


Samuel Zelley answers one of the many questions from the crowd of the artists


Mariah Woodward poses with her proud Mom


Al Zelley proudly poses with his son Samuel


Don Lawrence & his son Matthew with Matthew's Awards


Close-up of Mariah Woodward's First Place Winning Entry


Close-up of Samuel Zelley's First Place Winning Entry


Close-up of Matthew Lawrence's Second Place Winning Entry

To view all of the photos, click on the separate links below:

Duck Stamp Photo Set 1

Duck Stamp Photo Set 2

Duck Stamp Photo Set 3

Henry A. Raymond
vtgrandpa@yahoo.com
April 12, 2003