Judges deliberating over entries

On Friday, February 23, five judges reviewed 185 poster entries and 89 literature entries submitted for the 2008 Migratory Bird Calendar Contest. A record 274 entries were submitted from 15 schools located near the Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges. Judges chose the top three entries from four age groups with grades 6th through 8th showing the toughest competition with 47 posters and 57 literature entries. After three hours deliberation, the 12 posters and 12 literature entries were selected, each receiving a certificate, ribbon, and small prize. Winners were forwarded to Anchorage to compete in the statewide competition with the final 24 State winners featured in the 2008 Migratory Bird Calendar. The annual Calendar Contest is a highlight for schools on the remote Alaska Peninsula as it also includes visits by Refuge staff, including renowned local artist Orville Lind. Schools near Alaska Peninsula and Becharof Refuges have had winning entries in the calendar since the contest began in 1992.