ATHENS, Texas – Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens proudly revealed the triumphant participants of the 2024 Texas division of the Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest, an integral part of a global conservation education initiative aimed at nurturing youthful enthusiasm for fish, fisheries, and angling.
"The Fish Art Contest splendidly acquaints Texas students with the marvels of fish and aquatic resources through the medium of art," expressed Tom Lang, TFFC's director. "Each year, we eagerly anticipate the exceptional creativity and interpretations showcased by our young Texans."
From a pool of 1,504 submissions, judges at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center meticulously selected the top 12 artworks, which will grace the walls of the center and adorn the 2025 Texas Fish Art Calendar.
In the K-3 category, accolades were bestowed upon: Jessica Ding of Austin (first place), Yueran Lang of Austin (second place), and Jane Han of Carrollton (third place).
For grades 4-6, the laurels were earned by: Luke Zhang of Katy (first place), Kayla Tran of Wylie (second place), and Yolanda Xiong of Flower Mound (third place).
The grades 7-9 division witnessed triumphs by: Caroline Sullivan of Spring (first place), Elizabeth Naiser of Boerne (second place), and Kai-Lin Hsu of Spring (third place).
In the grades 10-12 echelon, the victors emerged as: Mia Macias of Pasadena (first place), Samara Estrada of Houston (second place), and Dipper Deen of Fort Worth (third place).
The first-place winners from each category advance to the national stage, competing against champions from other states.
Scholarships for the Texas winners are generously sponsored by the William E. Armentrout Foundation and Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. The awards range from $1,000 for first place to $50 for third place, varying by grade level.
Kate Barkalow, TFFC's education and interpretation coordinator, articulated, "We celebrate not only the artistic talents of our Texan students but also the rich diversity of our aquatic fauna and the dedication of our biologists in safeguarding these treasures."
The culmination of the contest is marked by a jubilant gathering at the Tyler Nature Center on Free Fishing Day, honoring state finalists, educators, and families. Barkalow remarked, "This celebration not only recognizes our students and their support systems but also extends an invitation for many to experience fishing for the first time."
In addition to the winners, commendations were extended to several participants with honorable mentions across all grade categories.
Educators interested in participating in the 2025 contest can access entry forms, guidelines, and resources online. The Fish Art Contest, under the aegis of Wildlife Forever, epitomizes grassroots conservation efforts dedicated to preserving America's wildlife heritage.
For a closer look at the winning artworks, high-resolution images are available for viewing and download in the 2024 Fish Art Contest Album on the TPWD Flickr page.
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