Yi Li, 2009 Michigan Junior Duck Stamp Best of Show winner and State Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator Becky Goche frame her winning artwork at the awards ceremony on April 25. This was the second year that Li represented Michigan at the National competition. - Photo by Joy D. Clark.

This year's first through third place winners in the Michigan Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest were honored at an awards ceremony at the Green Point Environmental Learning Center, part of the Shiawassee NWR, on Saturday, April 25, 2009.  Twenty of the 36 winners and their families and teachers attended for a total of 75 - a standing room only crowd!

More than 330 students submitted artwork for this year's contest. Michigan's Best of Show artwork was drawn by Yi Li, age 17 of Ann Arbor. Her artwork, an oil painting of Harlequin ducks advanced to the national competition on April 22 at the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.

 State Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator Becky Goche said, "We received some extraordinary artwork in all four age groups this year and I'm really glad that I did not have to pick the winner.  The judges really liked Yi Li's depiction of Harlequin ducks and this is the second year she was selected to represent Michigan in the national competition."

 Each student received a book bag with sketch pad, colored pencils, duck call, 2008-2009 Junior Duck stamp, ribbon, plaque, and a magnet featuring his/her artwork.  The Best of Show winner got all of these items, plus a $100 gift card for art supplies, two decoys donated by Ducks Unlimited, and two plaques featuring her artwork.  In addition, six outstanding teachers were recognized for their efforts in getting their students involved in the program.  Each teacher received an $80 gift card for art supplies.  The Friends of Shiawassee NWR provided a decorated sheet cake featuring an edible replica of the Best of Show artwork and lemonade for those in attendance.