FAIRFAX, Va. –-(Ammoland.com)- The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce the winners of its 31st annual George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest. Held in November at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Va., the 2018 contest featured 350 entries submitted by young artists from all over the country. Begun in 1987, the Youth Wildlife Art Contest challenges students to create exceptional works of art depicting North American wildlife and offers $7,000 in cash prizes.
“Swimming Lessons”
Emma Vande Vort, Grade 10, Lynden, WA
The contest is open to any student in grades 1 through 12, including home-schooled children. NRA membership is not required to participate. Entries can depict any North American game bird or animal that may be legally hunted or trapped. Endangered species and non-game animals, such as eagles and snakes, are not eligible subjects.
The contest is divided into four categories based on grade level: Category I (1st – 3rd), Category II (4th – 6th), Category III (7th – 9th), Category IV (10th – 12th). Judges select first, second and third place entries in each category, which receive prizes of $750, $500 and $250 respectively. A Best In Show award, selected from among all entries across all categories, receives a $1,000 prize.
“The George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest offers young artists interested in hunting and wildlife an outlet to use their creative talent, practice artistic techniques and refine wildlife identification skills,” said NRA Recreational Programs & Ranges Managing Director Elizabeth Bush. “It makes us proud that the contest’s message has resonated with young artists, who carefully study an animal and hone their techniques to not just accurately depict a species, but to give their entry life. And their efforts also help reinforce the positive effects of hunting and wildlife conservation with the public at large.”
A complete list of winners and those who earned honorable mention status follows. To view the winning artwork online, go to https://artcontest.nra.org/award-winners/.
BEST IN SHOW
Emma Vande Vort (Grade 10) Lynden WA
CATEGORY I (Grades 1-3)
First Place: Jayden Cheuk, Chandler, AZ
Second Place: Chandana Muhlian, Parsippany, NJ
Third Place: Sophia Zhao, Chandler, AZ
CATEGORY II (Grades 4-6)
First Place: Cynthia Liu, Chandler, AZ
Second Place: Morgan Feng, Sugar Land, TX
Third Place: Ada Lau, Houston, TX
CATEGORY III (Grades 7-9)
First Place: Anna Yao, Chandler, AZ
Second Place: Leyi Gao, Sugarland, TX
Third Place: Minjeong Kim, Coppell, TX
CATEGORY IV (Grades 10-12)
First Place: Christina Zhang, Richmond, TX
Second Place: Anna Yu, Gilbert, AZ
Third Place: Ethan Pro, Canyon Country, CA
HONORABLE MENTIONS (in alphabetical order)
Yunbeen Bae (Grade 11) Frisco, TX
Yiteng Cai (Grade 6) Toronto, Ontario
Haejin Chong (Grade 10) Carrollton, TX
Fiona Gao (Grade 7) Chandler, AZ
Fay Fay He (Grade 3) Chandler, AZ
Devyn Jin (Grade 2) San Jose, CA
Christina Lee (Grade 6) Dallas, TX
Elaine Lin (Grade 2) Chandler, AZ
Sophia Lin (Grade 6) Scottsdale, AZ
Jayda Ma (Grade 7) Sugarland, TX
Victoria Ursol (Grade 6) Fair Oaks, CA
Cathering Wang (Grade 9) Fremont, CA
Amanda Wong (Grade 10) Chandler, AZ
Jessica Xu (Grade 7) Coppell, TX
Lucas Yan (Grade 2) Chandler, AZ
Meiuen Yang (Grade 11) Phoenix, AZ
For more information about the George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest, visit https://artcontest.nra.org/.
About NRA
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. 5.5 million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and is the leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit https://www.nra.org.