2025 Crane-Inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest Winners

CCCC is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Crane-Inspired Creative Arts Scholarship Contest!

Open to all high school seniors in both Routt and Moffat Counties, this annual event seeks to raise awareness of Sandhill Cranes and to encourage engagement in the arts among the younger generations. 

The work needed to be original and accurately reflect the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitat of the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes in the Yampa Valley. Judging is completed by a panel of experts in three categories of art:

  • Category 1: Story or Essay – A nonfictional essay or fictional story of 750-1500 words.
  • Category 2: Poetry or Song – Three poems OR an original piece of music with lyrics.
  • Category 3: Visual Arts – A painting, sketch, photograph, or digital art.

CCCC extends sincere gratitude to Gail Jensen for making this program possible.  We are deeply grateful for her generous support and strong belief in this program, CCCC’s work, the cranes, the arts, and local youth. We are excited to award a total of over $20,000 in continuing education scholarships to nine recipients.

  • Scholarship awards are contingent on the winner’s acceptance into a continuing education institution.
  • Please be advised that all of these pieces of work are protected by copyright.

Entries were displayed in a special gallery at The Art Depot in Steamboat Springs during the month of March, and a First Friday Art Walk event highlighted contest participants on March 7, 2025. Many thanks to the students for sharing their art & for their heartfelt presentations, and to Steamboat Creates for hosting this event and gallery!

Congratulations to all of the winners of this year’s contest! Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry. 

Category 1

3-way tie for 1st Place:

  • Matthias Wolf “The Rocky Mountain Population Of Greater Sandhill Cranes… A symphony of ecology, behavior, personal connection, and cultural significance.” (Steamboat Springs High School)

 

  • Molly Smith “The Sandhill Cranes in My Backyard ” (Soroco High School)

 

  • Alyssa LeWarne “Another Crane” (Moffat County High School)

Category 2

  • 1st Place Winner: Poetry: Jakob Ducklow “Echoes Over Yampa, Feather River Bond, Wings in Waiting” (Steamboat Springs High School)

 

  • 2nd Place Winner: Song: Nolan Laird “Through the Valley, Through the Sky” (Steamboat Springs High School)

 

  • Honorable Mention: Song: Lelle Szucs “Crane Song” (Steamboat Springs High School)

Category 3

  • 1st Place Winner: Hannah Kilpatrick “Mother Crane” (Moffat County High School)

 

  • 2nd Place Winner: Eva Reynolds “Leaving The Nest” (Steamboat Mountain School)

 

  • Honorable Mention: Josefina Kuberry “A Crane’s Dance” (Moffat County High School)