MONTGOMERY-Recently, students from Alabama were recognized for their artistic ability at illustrating a fish species native to their state. First place winners in Wildlife Forever’s 15th Annual State-Fish Art Contest were celebrated during the organization’s annual awards 
ceremony and expo at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry, Ga., July 12-13.
Attending the event were 142 students who had placed first in their home states, including four from Alabama. The international event was attended by students from 48 US states, Canada, India, Korea, Mexico and the Philippines. Each of Alabama’s winners illustrated their official state freshwater fish, the largemouth bass.
Alabama first place winners recognized at the event:
First place Grades K-3: Vicki Wang, Barbara Keel Art School, Auburn, Ala.
First place Grades 4-6: Rachel Tao, Barbara Keel Art School, Auburn, Ala.
First place Grades 7-9: Chastin Hall, Cleveland High School, Oneonta, Ala.
First place Grades 10-12: Heather Henderson, Falkville High School, Falkville, Ala.
In addition to Alabama’s first place winners, second and third place winners were chosen from the state, but did not attend the event.
Second place:
K-3: Jocelyn Wang, Barbara Keel Art School, Auburn, Ala.
4-6: Issac Stubbs, Wetumpka, Ala.
7-9: Jenna Moore, Trinity Presbyterian School, Pike Road, Ala.
10-12: Christopher Carter, Indian Springs, Ala.
Third place:
K-3: Grace He, Barbara Keel Art School, Auburn, Ala.
4-6: Lee Farrow: Montgomery, Ala.
7-9: Ethan Gentry, Trinity Presbyterian School, Montgomery, Ala.
10-12: Laura Dube, AP Brewer High School, Somerville, Ala.
The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest encourages young artists to create an illustration of their state fish and a written composition about its behavior, habitat or efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized by grade level: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Up to three winners from each state are selected and invited to the annual awards ceremony and expo.
In Alabama, the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has partnered
Doug Darr
with Wildlife Forever to promote the contest.
“The State-Fish Art Contest uses art as a medium for teaching conservation education,” said Doug Darr, WFF Aquatic Education Coordinator. “Teachers can request information and a lesson plan specific to aquatic natural resources that includes a species identification section profiling each state fish, a glossary, a suggested list of quiz questions and student worksheets by visiting www.wildlifeforever.org.”
