Artwork by Sophie Ye age 16 from San Jose won the distinguished title of California’s Best of Show in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2019 California Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Artwork from more than 2,489 school-aged artists throughout the state was judged during the 29th annual contest at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on March 28, 2019.

Ye’s winning piece of artwork will compete with the other states’ Best of Show winners during the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest on April 19, 2019. The national winner’s design will be made into the 2019-2020 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

A panel of 10 judges was tasked with selecting 100 winners. The artwork was judged in four grade groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. From these groups, three first, three second, three third place and 16 honorable mention winners were chosen. Winning designs received ribbons, and all entrants received a certificate of appreciation and awards.

The 2019 judges included: Andy Atkinson, senior enviArtwork by Sophie Ye age 16 from San Jose won the distinguished title of California’s Best of Show in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2019 California Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Artwork from more than 2,489 school-aged artists throughout the state was judged during the 29th annual contest at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on March 28, 2019.

Ye’s winning piece of artwork will compete with the other states’ Best of Show winners during the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest on April 19, 2019. The national winner’s design will be made into the 2019-2020 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

The California Junior Duck Stamp Program is successful due to the support of partners that provide the funding and staffing. Volunteers from the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California Waterfowl Association and other partner organizations laid out the artwork, tallied scores and recorded the 100 winners. Additional major sponsors for the program include the California Rice Commission, California Department of Water Resources, Pacific Flyway Decoy Association, Altacal Audubon Society, Central Valley Joint Venture, and other federal, state, private, and non-profit environmental conservation and education agencies.