Just ducky

The Valley is known for many things, among those being the many artists and the outdoor opportunities. A statewide competition brought those two together, and Valley students enjoyed success as a result.

Peter Pererva, a 16-year-old student from Wasilla High School, was named the best of show for this year's Alaska Junior Duck Stamp competition. He beat out 501 entrants for the honor, and his stamp will now compete against other top entrants at the national level.

Should Pererva's design be named the best in the country, he will receive $2,500, and his stamp will be reproduced as a collector's stamp to generate money to continue the program and other environmental education programs.

The best of show winner was selected from all first-place entries. Three first-place ribbons, three second-place ribbons and three third-place ribbons were awarded in each age group.

Pererva wasn't the only Valley student to enjoy success in the state competition. Twenty-four artists were awarded ribbons, from five schools.

Wasilla High School, under art instructor Janet Stuart, had 15 students earn at least honorable mention status, with two students -- Pererva and Christina Benoit, taking first-place ribbons.

The federal Junior Duck Stamp contest began in 1990 at Florida's Sanibel Island National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1994, the contest spread to much of the country, but it wasn't until 1996 that Alaska held one.

According to the National Fish and Wildlife Service, the competition has many virtues.

"The program integrates art and science in order to teach environmental science and habitat conservation," the government agency's Web site states.

"The competition incorporates scientific and wildlife management principles, crosses cultural, ethnic, social and geographical barriers, to give students a greater awareness and appreciation of our natural resources," it states.

The Valley winners, grouped by school, are: Meadow Lakes Elementary -- Abby Fait and Kiersten Wilber, first place; Kira Baranowski, Jamie Cregar and Kirsten Robinson, honorable mention. Home school -- Mitchell Burnem, honorable mention. Interior Distance Education of Alaska -- Karen Goss, first place. Midnight Sun Family Learning Center -- Wendell Harren and Paige Wagner, honorable mention. Wasilla High School -- Peter Pererva, best of show; Christina Benoit, first place; Sara Coleman, Lindsey Harris and James Marquis, second place; Lina Bunnell, Melanie Hoeft, Shavonn Rigdon and Joseph Schaff, third place; Rebecca Brookbank, jeremy Havins, Bryna Kitter, Amanda Skoubo, Alicia Storie and Mary Varner, honorable mention.