2020 State-Fish Art Contest Winners
The 2020 State-Fish Art Contest, hosted by Wildlife Forever and sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, featured more than 5,000
entries from 47 states and 32 countries. A panel of judges from around the world selected the winners, which included:
National Winners
Grades 10-12: David Hong, Virginia
Grades 7-9: Amber Li, Texas
Grades 4-6: Eva Averin, Utah
Grades K-3: Allison Bu, Maryland
Art of Conservation Award
Hoonsuk (Alex) Yoon, New Jersey
Seth Thomas Spradlin Best of Show Award
David Hong, Virginia
Guy Harvey Award
Hyeri Chun, New Jersey
Fish Migration Award
Age 5-12: Kelly Zhong, Georgia
Age 13-18: Elizabeth Hwang, Washington
ARTWORK BY DAVID HONG
ARTWORK BY AMBER LI
“This year’s artwork was outstanding. We
had a record year of growth providing evidence
that art has an unparalleled power to
ARTWORK BY EVA AVERIN
ARTWORK BY ALLISON BU
connect and teach,” says Pat Conzemius, president and CEO of Wildlife Forever. “I’m grateful for our members and sponsors
who invest in building stewardship and for the dedicated teachers, state hosts and parents who encourage young people all
over the world to learn and experience the power of nature.”
PHOTO BY CHRIS INGRAM
a wish come true
On June 27, Noah
Crogan’s big wish came true
at the Apple Island Marina
on Lake Champlain in South
Hero, Vt.
Crogan, a 16-year-old
who has primary immune
deficiency, bilateral
bronchiectasis and tracheomalacia
(which means he
suffers from a compromised
immune system along with
two diseases that affect his
airway and lungs), has been
part of the Make-A-Wish
Foundation for about a year.
He’s also an avid angler
who now owns his very own
bass boat and a ton of gear
to go with it.
Make-A-Wish Vermont,
the Vermont Fish and
Wildlife Department, and
local anglers – including
Phoenix Bass Fishing
League and Toyota Series
angler Cole Harris – surprised
Crogan with a brandnew
Tracker aluminum bass
boat, along with rods and
tackle, when he arrived at
Apple Island Marina – a visit
he was told was to simply
check out a friend’s boat.
When Crogan arrived, he
was met with a convoy of
bass boats led by two Fish
and Wildlife wardens, sirens
blaring, at the dock. That’s
when he got the news.
Harris, along with several
other local anglers, gave
Crogan an opportunity to
break in his brand new boat
and tackle with a “mini-tournament.”
“He had a blast,” says
Harris. “He broke the boat in
well. And the best part is that
he’s been talking to us ever
since then. You’d have
thought we’ve known him
our whole lives.
“This was just really cool
because getting youth in this
sport is important, and it’s
important that we as anglers
stick together. This story is a
perfect combination of all of
that. Who knows, this kid
could be the next Kevin
VanDam one day.”
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | FLWFISHING.COM 15