NOAA Fisheries is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023 ESA@50 Ocean Art Contest! More than 600 students from 63 schools and programs in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawai‘i participated. Their art projects helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act and raise awareness about threatened and endangered marine life in the Pacific Islands region.
From giant manta rays to blue whales, the budding K-12 artists showed what they learned—and appreciated—about threatened and endangered ocean animals in their artworks.
The diversity of artistic mediums and creative approaches across all age groups made choosing winners particularly difficult for the panel of judges. The judges evaluated the artwork and selected the top entries based on quality of work, creativity, and connection to the contest theme.
“This was a great opportunity to draw students' attention to an important community issue and celebrate some of the species we value and depend on in our island home,” said one teacher from Koʻolaupoko, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i.
“[We] are grateful for giving our students the chance to understand the importance of the marine ecosystem through this competition,” said another teacher from Tafuna, American Samoa.
You can enjoy the array of student artworks in our online winner and honorable mention galleries. We will also showcase winners’ work at various exhibitions this spring in partnership with:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian, Guam
- NOAA National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, Taputimu, American Samoa
- City and County of Honolulu Lane Gallery at Honolulu Hale, Honolulu, Hawai‘i
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mariana Trench National Wildlife Refuge/Marine National Monument Visitor Contact Center, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
2023 ESA@50 Ocean Art Contest Winners
American Samoa
Grades K–2
- 1st Place: Oceanic Shapes by Adam-Brian P., Kindergarten
- 2nd Place: Save the Hawksbill Turtles by Michael P., Grade 1
- 3rd Place: Save Our Turtles by Carson V., Grade 2
Grades 3–5
- 1st Place: Turtles by Ana L., Grade 5
- 2nd Place: Ocean Cleaning by Lily H., Grade 4
- 3rd Place: Marine Life by Jeralyn L., Grade 5
Grades 6–8
- 1st Place: Think of Us by Christina H., Grade 8
- 2nd Place: The World Beneath the Surface by Susitina A., Grade 8
- 3rd Place: One World One Mission: Together We Thrive to Let Them Survive! by Skylar M., Grade 6
Grades 9–12
- 1st Place: Protect These Gentle Giants by Mary C., Grade 11
- 2nd Place: Honu by Deborah V., Grade 11
- 3rd Place: Coral Reef by Isley F., Grade 12
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Grades K–2
- 1st Place: The Masterpiece of the Fake Killer Whale by Sebastian B., Grade 1
Grades 3–5
- 1st Place: Giant Manta Ray by Aileen K., Grade 4
- 2nd Place: Sea Turtle by Chloe P., Grade 4
- 3rd Place: Living Alive by Bernice C., Grade 5
Grades 6–8
- 1st Place: Save the Ocean by Ricalene O., Grade 8
- 2nd Place: Trash Kills by Susona, Grade 7
- 3rd Place: Whales by Ella M., Grade 6
Grades 9–12
- 1st Place: It’s Your Choice by Gwanhun S., Grade 9
- 2nd Place: Scalloped Hammerhead by Jonathan W., Grade 10
- 3rd Place: Endure Life by Kaitani T., Grade 10
Guam
Grades K–2
- 1st Place: Save Shelly the Green Sea Turtle by Kaile'a R., Grade 1
Grades 3–5
- 1st Place: Do Not Litter by Rion T., Grade 4
- 2nd Place: Save the Earth by Lu'Jay P., Grade 5
- 3rd Place: Endangered Species by Jaytin G., Grade 5
Grades 6–8
- 1st Place: Stay Alert. Stop Bycatch. by Marko Daniel M., Grade 7
Grades 9–12
- 1st Place: Scalloped Hammerheads by Amelia M., Grade 11
- 2nd Place: Trio of Corals by Lia P., Grade 11
- 3rd Place: Save Me by Jusiah L., Grade 10
Hawai‘i
Grades K–2
- 1st place: A Bright Future for Our Sea Turtles by Kailey Y., Kindergarten
- 2nd place: Oceanic White Tip Shark by Kai S., Grade 2
- 3rd place: Don’t Catch Endangered Animals by Aera J., Grade 2
Grades 3–5
- 1st place: A Plea for Protection by Dezzarae A., Grade 5
- 2nd place: North Pacific Loggerhead Turtle by Reese M., Grade 4
- 3rd place: Take Care of the Whales by Olivia C., Grade 4
Grades 6–8
- 1st place: Majestic Sight by Calix P., Grade 8
- 2nd place: The Leatherback Turtle by Skye C., Grade 8
- 3rd place: Swarm of the Sea by Sophia K., Grade 8
Grades 9–12
- 1st place: Off the Hook by Janelle Q., Grade 11
- 2nd place: Makawalu by John Lewis M., Grade 12
- 3rd place: Monk Seal in Peril by Ian L., Grade 9
