Three Hazen Union art honors students have received awards in the 2026 Vermont Student Wildlife Art Contest, an annual exhibition celebrating student creativity, wildlife education, and Vermont’s natural heritage.

The honored students are:

• Danica Patridge — Judge’s Award of Merit for her artwork “Coyote” and an additional Honorable Mention and a $150 monetary award
• Karli Patridge — Honorable Mention for her artwork “A Vermont Winter” and a $100 monetary award
• Ella Renaud — Show Director’s Award of Merit for her artwork “Summer Slumber” and a $50 monetary award

The contest is organized by the Vermont Wildlife Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to encouraging awareness, thought, and discussion of Vermont’s native wildlife and the challenges facing native fauna.

The organization’s flagship event, the Vermont Student Wildlife Art Expo, highlights the talents of students in grades 7–12 from across the state. Through researching, observing, and artistically interpreting wildlife subjects, students gain a deeper understanding of the natural world while being encouraged to spend time outdoors and engage directly with nature.

Contest entries are judged on originality, technique, composition, and representation of Vermont’s natural history.

This year marks the fifth annual exhibition, with the theme “Connections.” The exhibition is sponsored by the Churchill Family Charitable Fund, the Vermont Wildlife Education Fund, Sugar Maple Veterinary Center, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, the Society of Animal Artists, and the Monument Arts and Cultural Center.

Hazen Union congratulates Danica, Ella, and Karli on their outstanding artistic achievements and recognition at the state level.