The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, has announced the winners of the Florida State Fish Art Contest for 2025. The competition, open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, offers participants the chance to gain recognition and prizes at both state and national levels. It is designed to spark creativity while promoting an understanding of the importance of conservation and appreciation for Florida’s fisheries.
The FWC selected winning entries in various categories (freshwater and saltwater fish) across four grade brackets, all of which will advance to the National Competition. Top honors include the Best of Show prize. Complete details and a gallery of this year’s winning entries can be found on the competition’s website at MyFWC.com/FishArt.
The winners from grades 10-12 are Jessica Neef and Savannah LaViolette. The recognized runners-up are Jenna Geiser and Nicolas Leon. In grades 7-9, the winners are Sebastian Romo and Aleksandra Pelegrin, with Hailey Chen and Joy Lin as runners-up. For grades 4-6, Mila Das and Hopper Borchgardt took the winning spots, while Iris Zhang and Advika Sonule were named runners-up. In the youngest group, grades K-3, Michelle He and Rider Leib emerged as winners, with Sophia Guan and Yihao Wu as runners-up.
FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood remarked, “The talent and creativity displayed by these young artists in the Florida Fish Art Contest is truly inspiring. This competition serves as an outstanding opportunity to engage the next generation in both fishing and conservation. Year after year, we are impressed by the dedication and passion reflected in each student’s portrayal of Florida’s diverse freshwater and saltwater species.”
Florida will continue to host this contest next year, with more details to be announced. Prospective participants can learn more about entering future competitions through MyFWC.com/FishArt.
