April 14, 2026 – Slinger, Wi – Â Chelsea Williams, 14, of Slinger High School received Wisconsin’s Best of Show for her charcoal drawing titled, “Stormy Flight.” The black-and-white picture shows a pair of pintail ducks. Williams won at the 2026 Junior Duck Stamp Design and Conservation Contest.
The state Junior Duck Stamp contest was held at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. According to judge Brad Heidel, “there were over 300 entries this year, with some very promising young artists in the group.”
Click HERE for more information on the Junior Duck Stamp Contest
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:
The Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is the culmination of the Junior Duck Stamp educational program. After studying waterfowl anatomy and habitat, students may express their newfound knowledge by drawing, painting or sketching a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species.
Because students express themselves best in different formats, the conservation message contest gives them an opportunity to use the written word to express their knowledge. Students from across the United States submit their artwork to their state, territory or district competition.
The “Best of Show” from each competition is submitted to the National Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, where a panel of judges will select one image to become the next Junior Duck Stamp.
All students in kindergarten through grade twelve are encouraged to participate in the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program annual art and conservation message contest as part of the Junior Duck Stamp Program curriculum.
The art and conservation message competition serve as the “final project” – an opportunity for students to share what they have learned about waterfowl and habitat conservation through the curriculum or through their own study and observation.
Williams art will compete to become the Federal Jr. Waterfowl Stamp on April 21.
Photo courtesy Slinger School District
