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On June 24, 2011, Keaton Nelsen and his family participated in the second day of the 2-Day Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest and Expo as a winner of the State-Fish Art contest.
Nelsen, then a fourth grader at Leeds Elementary School, was North Dakota’s representative in his grade category and was the only representative from the state.
The event was held at the Texas Freshwater Fishery Center in Athens, TX.
Due to a prior commitment the Nelsen’s were only able to participate in the second day of the event.
The June 24 festivities began with registration and viewing of the State-Fish Art artwork displayed in the beautiful Hart-Morris Conservation
Center. Shortly thereafter, the attendees were treated to a fishing adventure at various stock ponds located at the facility. Professional anglers were on-site to assist the young anglers.
The professional anglers and assistants made every effort to ensure that each child caught a fish (and then released it). The Fishery had multiple stock ponds all with many different types of fish species. After an exciting fishing adventure, attendees were invited to the Dive In Theatre where the “screen” was a giant fish tank with a diver inside the tank feeding and explaining the different fish.
After the Dive In Theater performance, attendees were encouraged to tour the grounds, including the museum and the outlying stock ponds. These ponds contained young fish that the Texas Fishery staff eventually release into area lakes. Throughout the day Texas Freshwater Fishery staff displayed various birds and provided interesting facts about their habitat, physical characteristics and behaviors.
Numerous artists displayed their work throughout the grounds and demonstrated various art techniques including painting, pottery making, and Gyotaku (Japanese stamping/printing of fish onto fabric). All of on-site artists were friendly and willing to explain the aspects of their artwork.
The national award ceremony began at 1 p.m. and featured several interesting speakers. The winners were announced and their artwork displayed on two large screens. Each winner received a medal, certificate and a fishing equipment package.
Following the ceremony, Smokey the Bear stopped by for a visit and those who had not caught a fish were able to continue fishing until the fishery closed.
The Leeds Elementary students are presently working on the 2012 State Fish Stamp and the North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp.
On June 24, 2011, Keaton Nelsen and his family participated in the second day of the 2-Day Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest and Expo as a winner of the State-Fish Art contest.
Nelsen, then a fourth grader at Leeds Elementary School, was North Dakota’s representative in his grade category and was the only representative from the state.
The event was held at the Texas Freshwater Fishery Center in Athens, TX.
Due to a prior commitment the Nelsen’s were only able to participate in the second day of the event.
The June 24 festivities began with registration and viewing of the State-Fish Art artwork displayed in the beautiful Hart-Morris Conservation
Center. Shortly thereafter, the attendees were treated to a fishing adventure at various stock ponds located at the facility. Professional anglers were on-site to assist the young anglers.
The professional anglers and assistants made every effort to ensure that each child caught a fish (and then released it). The Fishery had multiple stock ponds all with many different types of fish species. After an exciting fishing adventure, attendees were invited to the Dive In Theatre where the “screen” was a giant fish tank with a diver inside the tank feeding and explaining the different fish.
After the Dive In Theater performance, attendees were encouraged to tour the grounds, including the museum and the outlying stock ponds. These ponds contained young fish that the Texas Fishery staff eventually release into area lakes. Throughout the day Texas Freshwater Fishery staff displayed various birds and provided interesting facts about their habitat, physical characteristics and behaviors.
Numerous artists displayed their work throughout the grounds and demonstrated various art techniques including painting, pottery making, and Gyotaku (Japanese stamping/printing of fish onto fabric). All of on-site artists were friendly and willing to explain the aspects of their artwork.
The national award ceremony began at 1 p.m. and featured several interesting speakers. The winners were announced and their artwork displayed on two large screens. Each winner received a medal, certificate and a fishing equipment package.
Following the ceremony, Smokey the Bear stopped by for a visit and those who had not caught a fish were able to continue fishing until the fishery closed.
The Leeds Elementary students are presently working on the 2012 State Fish Stamp and the North Dakota Junior Duck Stamp.
