California Ninth Grader Wins Conservation Art Contest

The following press release is courtesy of Wildlife Forever:

WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN- Ella Park, a talented 9th grader from California, is honored on the FLW stage by Pat Conzemius, Wildlife Forever President and CEO alongside Jessica Hayes from Title Sponsor, Bass Pro Shops.

The people’s choice award is selected by the public from over 100 first-place entries. The 2019 State-Fish Art EXPO was held during the Forrest Wood CUP World Championship of Bass Fishing August 12 -14 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The announcement of the People’s Choice Award is the culmination of the 2018 Contest. For over twenty years young artists have learned about conservation and been recognized on a national stage for their high-quality artwork.

Pat Conzemius, president and CEO of Wildlife Forever attended the Expo and said “The artwork this year was outstanding. Voting for the People’s Choice Award attracted a lot of interest at this year’s EXPO, but it was Ella’s Largemouth Bass that came out on top.”

Jessica Hayes, Bass Pro Shops Conservation Outdoor Event Coordinator joined Pat Conzemius on stage to announce the People’s Choice Award. Bass Pro Shops is the State-Jessia Hayes BPS on Stage 2Fish Art Title Sponsor and art the host for the Missouri State-Fish Art Contest. Students from Missouri are encouraged to send their entries directly to the Wonders of Wildlife Museum.

About the State-Fish Art Contest: The award-winning Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art® Contest is entering its 21st year of bringing children, art and aquatic conservation together! To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any official state-fish and written words detailing its behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the full-color State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, integrating the disciplines of science and art. Entries are due postmarked by March 31st each year.  For all the 2020 details and to view all the 2019 winning images visit www.statefishart.org.

About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company.  Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”