Elementary students
place in Junior Duck Stamp contest
MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
Five students in the Gifted and Talented visual arts program at Mapleton Elementary School won places in this year’s Junior Duck Stamp contest.
Contributed photo
FIVE STUDENTS from Mapleton Elementary School received top honors in this year’s Junior Duck Stamp contest. Gifted and Talented Visual Arts students at the school participated in the 2013 contest which was included in their program this past school year. Receiving ribbons were, from left: Anna Trombley (honorable mention), Amanda Winslow (first place), Samantha Boulier (second place), Paige McHatten (third place), and Holden Stoutamyer (honorable mention). There were 449 entries from 15 Maine schools in the contest this year.
In the grades 4-6 category, honorable mention ribbons were awarded to Holden Stoutamyer and Anna Trombley. Third-place ribbon was awarded to Paige McHatten; second-place ribbon to Samantha Boulier, and first-place ribbon to Amanda Winslow. All students from the school that participated received a certificate, and in addition to their ribbons, the top three winners also received a prize.
Students are separated into four categories: grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. In each category, three first place, three second place, three third place, and three honorable mentions are chosen. This creates a pool of 12 winners per category for each state. The 12 first-place winners in each state are then judged to choose a “Best of Show” for the state. There were 449 entries from 15 Maine schools in the Junior Duck Stamp contest.
According to Ruth McAtee, visual arts teacher at Mapleton and Zippel elementary schools, “the Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is a contest where the students demonstrate their artistic skills by drawing, painting or sketching a picture of an eligible North American waterfowl species.”
“Participation in the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest allows students to move beyond simply ‘learning about’ wildlife and wildlife art to testing their abilities as wildlife artists. Students from around the United States submit drawings to their state, territory or district competition,” she said. “Winners from these competitions, called the ‘Best of Show,’ are then submitted to the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. One image from the 53 Best of Show entries will become the next Junior Duck Stamp.”
Junior Duck Stamps are sold for $5 each by the U.S. Postal Service, Amplex Corporation and various National Wildlife Refuges. Proceeds from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps are returned to states for environmental and conservation education programs.
Gifted and Talented Visual Arts students at Mapleton Elementary School participated in the 2013 Junior Duck Stamp Contest which was included as part of their Gifted and Talented Visual Arts Program this year.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Anita Currier, Tyler Shurley, Ashley Pendexter, Amanda Winslow, Dylan Gilson, Gary Brewer, Abigayle Clark, Darren Brewer, Stephen Landry, Paula Elliott, Janet Gilson, Mike Kelle, Todd Stephenson, Sheridan Boucher, Jenika Buck, Keenan Eaton, Addison Cole, Brian Ellis and Lisa Simpson.
Anniversaries
Happy Anniversary this week to Fudd and Brenda Wood and Nathan and Melissa Maurais on the 14th, Brian and Luanne Michaud on the 15th, Barry and Martha Buck on the 16th, and Scott and Christa Galipeau on the 17th.
Rec soccer is back
The Mapleton Rec Department has started taking registrations for rec soccer. Space is still available and signups will continue until Friday, Aug. 16 at the Town Office. The program will begin Wednesday, Aug. 28 and run until Oct. 3.
Groups will be for students in pre-K to kindergarten, grades 1-3, and 4-6. The program cost is $20 per child/$50 max per family for residents and $30 per child/$80 max per family for non-residents. Pre-K-kindergarten children will play Tuesdays and Thursdays, children in grades 1-3 will play Tuesdays and Thursdays; and children in grades 4-6 will play Mondays and Wednesdays.
For scheduling purposes, these days are the opposite days children that would be playing for Presque Isle Rec, so families are encouraged to participate in both programs!
Staff is working hard to keep this affordable for families, and encourage children to come out and participate. According to Rec Director Jacob Graham, “Strong programs are fueled by good participation and strong support from families in the community. We would love for everyone to come together to help us make this a great program and provide an activity to keep kids active!”
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115 or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
