The cultivation of her artistic passion recently earned her both statewide and national recognition.
Cao, a fifth grader at Fort Bend ISDâs Commonwealth Elementary School, won first place in the grades 4-6 age group of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Centerâs 2021 Fish Art Contest, which earned her a $200 scholarship. First-place winners in four age groups advanced to the national level and competed against winners from other states, and Caoâs piece won second-place in the national competition.
âWhen I was in kindergarten, I really enjoyed drawing cartoons and experimenting with colors,â said Cao, who noted that was when she first picked up art. âI feel relaxed whenever I draw.â
Texas Fish Art Contest Winners Announced
ATHENS, TX – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is pleased to announce the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest winners for 2021.
The Fish Art Contest is part of an international conservation education program designed to foster youth interest in fish, fisheries, and fishing. The program encourages K-12 students to submit original artwork of any officially designated state fish and an essay or poem about the participant’s fish entry, its habitat, or efforts to conserve it.
“The State-Fish Art Contest does a tremendous job of exposing students across Texas to the wonders of fish and fisheries resources through the nexus of art,” said Tom Lang, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Director. “We always look forward to this time of year when we are once again amazed by the outstanding work and artistic interpretations of these young Texans.”
The center had limited operations and visitor services since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Author: Favian Quezada Updated: 2:49 PM CDT May 19, 2021
ATHENS, Texas The
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) has announced that it will be returning to full operational status.
According to the center, the TFFC in Athens had limited operations and visitor services since March2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are excited to again be able to provide the opportunity for Texans to see and experience our fisheries and aquatic resources, and the vital work of TPWD fish biologists firsthand,” said Tom Lang, TFFC Director.
In anticipation of reopening, TFFC personnel focused efforts on renovations and upgrades to enhance the visitor experience.
Athens freshwater fishery reopens to public (Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife) By KLTV Digital Media Staff | May 19, 2021 at 4:34 PM CDT - Updated May 20 at 3:26 AM
ATHENS, Texas (KLTV) - The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens announced Wednesday the reopening of all services to the public after closing in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
“There’s nothing like seeing someone catch their first fish here, seeing their eyes get big when their face to face with a giant Alligator Gar, or hearing the oohs and aaahs that occur during the dive show,” said Tom Lang, TFFC Director.
The facility includes more than 300,000 gallons of indoor and outdoor aquariums displaying dozens of species of native fish, waterfowl, alligators, and amphibians in recreated habitats.