BURGAW, NC - Six students from Pender County Schools reeled in awards as part of the 2023 Wildlife Forever State Fish Art Contest.
In total three students earned first-place honors, one student placed second, and two finished third in their respective categories.
“The State Fish Art Contest is a perfect assignment for our coastal students. Students learn about how the arts can support Ecosystems and a larger cause.” Said Surf City Middle Art Teacher Ashley Berdeau. “Connecting art, science, and creative writing our students have a better connection to the outdoors and our waterways. This project is one that students look forward to and one that I use to show growth in my students. The best statement I hear is when a student says "I have gotten so much better than last year."
Through a media release, the organization said, “The goal at the heart of the Fish Art Program is creating future stewards of our lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans. We believe the education students receive in their classrooms is key to creating the next stewards of our world. Combining the two disciplines of science and art, the program uses ART as a springboard into the watery world of fish.”
2023 Wildlife Forever Fish Art Contest Winners
1st Place (4th-6th grade) – Eliza Dudek (SCM), Bluegill
1st Place (7th-9th grade) – Julia Clark (SCM), Red Drum
1st Place (7th-9th grade) - Ansley Moore (SCM), Fish Essay
2nd Place (4th-6th grade) – Emerson Freeman (SCM), Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
3rd Place (4th-6th grade) – Mateo Valencia (SCM), Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
3rd Place (7th-9th grade) – James Russell (THS), Rainbow Trout
Why do you think it is important to protect our lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastlines?
By: Ansley Moore
We need to protect the water
Water shapes our lives
It causes organisms to thrive
Without it, the world would die
We need to protect the water
The coastlines’ beauty isn’t only in their looks
They are home to the plants that protect our homes
Coastlines provide a place for the animals to live, too
We need to protect the water
The estuaries are rich in life
They provide the perfect environment for organisms to live in harmony
From algae and grasses to alligators and crabs,
Estuaries provide the perfect environment
We need to protect the water
The river is an amazing fishing spot
It gives us food
It is a great spot for recreational activities
We need to protect the water
The lakes give us diverse species of life
There are fish and worms and trees and grass
The lakes are not just all fun and games
We need to protect the water
