Several Rio Blanco County students were recognized with top awards at the National Western Stock Show Young Artist Competition during the National Western Stock Show awards ceremony held Jan. 11 in Denver. Alise Massey, an eighth-grader at Barone Middle School, also earned Grand Champion honors in the statewide eighth-grade division. Her artwork, a mountain bird drawing, was professionally mounted, and she received a championship buckle. Alise was accompanied at the ceremony by her mother, Dannie Bean.
Meeker Elementary fourth-grader Ari Theos received Grand Champion honors for his landscape artwork, which was professionally mounted and presented with a championship buckle. Ari is the son of Anthony and Dani Theos of Meeker.
Rangely High School ninth-grader Brooklyn Griggs earned Reserve Grand Champion recognition for her painting depicting a spring grass seed head. Although she was unable to attend the awards ceremony, Brooklyn received a reserve champion rosette and a professional mount for her artwork. She is the daughter of Luke and Jamie Griggs of Rangely and is a three-time competitor in the event.
Local organizers also thanked the Rio Blanco County 4-H Extension Office in Meeker and Nichols Store in Rangely for providing convenient artwork drop-off locations for participating students.
Students in grades 1–12 interested in participating in the upcoming National Western Stock Show Young Artist Competition can find rules and entry information on the National Western Stock Show website. Organizers noted that several award-winning entries originated from artwork shown at the Rio Blanco County Fair.