by Gisela Chapa
Every year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts the Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar Youth Art Contest, a state-wide poster and literature competition for K-12 students residing in or adjacent to National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.
The purpose of the contest is to encourage youth to learn about bird conservation while expressing their artistic skills. The result is a beautiful 12-month calendar full of color, lovely writing, that showcases the winning entries for the previous year.
Tens of thousands of calendars are produced and distributed around the state. This year delivery of the calendars took longer than expected; not to worry – the calendars are making their way around the Delta as this note is published, just in time to appreciate the artwork for the month of May.
What’s so important about May, you ask? It showcases the artwork of a talented young artist from Nelson Island School in Toksook Bay; Ms. Amber Angaiak.
“Pisulta Ciunerkamun (Hunt for the Future)” is the theme of this year’s calendar. Ms. Angaiak’s interpretation of the theme won her two blue ribbons – one for each local and State level in the Kindergarden to 2nd-grade category. Congratulations to Ms. Amber Angaiak for her wonderful achievement!
Other talented youth who earned blue ribbons at the local level include the following young artists in their respective categories:
Kindergarden – 2nd Grade Category
Austin John, Toksook Bay
Phebe Angaiak, Toksook Bay
3rd Grade – 5th Grade
Clarissa Lincoln, Toksook Bay
Krayten Friend, Toksook Bay
Shayna Lincoln, Toksook Bay
6th Grade – 8th Grade
Rennee Flynn, Newtok
Nevaeh George, Newtok
Deanne Kilongak, Newtok
9th Grade – 12th Grade
Johnny John, Newtok
Malcolm Queenie, Newtok
Jamal Kassaiuli, Newtok
Congratulations and keep up the good work!
If your kids or students are interested in art or interested in this contest, I hope you encourage them to participate. Who knows, maybe their art or writing will be featured in the Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar.
