Governor Sanders Announces the My Natural State Story Winners

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced the My Natural State Story contest winners alongside the Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism. The Governor launched the contest in August, inviting Arkansas students to share personal stories of their outdoor experiences and inspire others to spend more time outside and off screens.

"Arkansas is blessed with some of the most beautiful and accessible outdoor spaces in the country, and these students captured what makes the Natural State so special," said Governor Sanders. "Their stories remind us that getting outside builds confidence, strengthens families and communities, and creates memories that last a lifetime. I'm proud to recognize these students and grateful to the families, educators, agencies, and outdoor partners who helped make this contest possible."

"Some of the best stories start with a fishing rod, a bike, or a pair of hiking boots, and in Arkansas, you never have to go far to find an adventure," said First Gentleman Bryan Sanders. "As a dad, I want my kids to grow up loving the Natural State and appreciating all we have right here in our backyard. I'm excited kids around our state shared their own stories of exploring the outdoors, and I hope their adventures encourage more families to find some of their own."

"One of the most powerful ways students learn to write is by making meaningful real-world connections and sharing their own stories," said Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. "The My Natural State Story contest sparked students' curiosity, encouraged them to explore and appreciate the world around them, and inspired a deeper gratitude for the Natural State. Through outdoor education experiences, students gain not only academic skills but also a greater understanding of and appreciation for Arkansas' natural beauty."

"Through the My Natural State Story contest, we are proud to celebrate the curiosity, wonder and sense of connection that our young people find outdoors and the stories that remind us all why these places are worth exploring and cherishing, offering a welcome escape from everyday life and a chance to reconnect with what truly matters," said Secretary of Parks, Heritage & Tourism Shea Lewis.

"The tales of explorers, hunters, and outdoorsmen adventuring across the Natural State began long before Arkansas achieved statehood. Stories of Arkansas's wild places and wildlife quickly became favorites for readers in newspapers and dime novels along the East Coast, eventually earning Arkansas the nickname "The Bear State."

"Today, Arkansas continues to offer rich conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is grateful to collaborate with the Governor's Office, our partners, and school districts statewide on the Governor's Outdoor Education Initiative and this project. This program helps students develop their own Natural State Story, build outdoor life skills, gain a deeper sense of place, and experience the Natural State firsthand," said Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deputy Director Spencer Griffith.

Participants submitted their Natural State story in one of seven categories, including hunting, fishing, boating or paddling, climbing, cycling or mountain biking, camping, and hiking, highlighting what makes the outdoors special in Arkansas communities. The contest accepted submissions from its launch through Monday, October 12, and received more than 1,800 essay submissions.

Student entries were placed in either the junior age category (ages 10-13) or the senior age category (ages 14-17). Judges looked for essays that brought Arkansas outdoors to life, describing a clear sense of place, the student's active engagement in the outdoor activity in the entered category and what happened along the way, and a reflection that clearly and honestly explained why the experience mattered.

One winner from each age group in each category was selected as a winner, and one student from each age group received the contest's highest honor, "My Natural State Story of the Year," for a total of 16 winners.

First-place winners, runners-up, and second runners-up were invited to the Arkansas Governor's Mansion to be honored and receive their prizes. A list of the winners and their category prize, provided by donations from Arkansas-based outdoor brands, outfitters, and destinations, is below:

• My Natural State Story of the Year, Junior: "Where's Waldo?" - Cooper Rich, Valley View Middle School - Arkansas Game and Fish Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Lifetime License; $500 gift and experience package provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism.
• My Natural State Story of the Year, Senior: "My State Parks Story" - Payton Tolliver, STEAM for the Next Generation High School - Arkansas Game and Fish Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Lifetime License; $500 gift and experience package provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism.
• Hunting, Junior: "Where's Waldo?" - Cooper Rich, Valley View Middle School - Banded prize pack, provided by Banded.
• Hunting, Senior: "This Ground" - Jett Sparks, homeschool - Banded prize pack, provided by Banded.
• Fishing, Junior: "The Dark Night Giant" - Kaddo Staggs, Centerpoint Elementary School - $1,000 PRADCO Fishing prize pack, provided by PRADCO Fishing.
• Fishing, Senior: "What Fishing Really Means" - Ezra Snyder, Bentonville High School - $1,000 PRADCO Fishing prize pack, provided by PRADCO Fishing.
• Boating/Paddling, Junior: "Sunset on the Lake" - Reagan Souder, Mountain Home Christian Academy- Arkansas Canoe Club prize pack, including a life jacket, helmet, and fees for river school for two for the younger division or a choice of river or whitewater school for two for the older division, provided by the Arkansas Canoe Club.
• Boating/Paddling, Senior: "The Secret to Finding Stillness on Beaver Lake" - Olivia Kholos, Rogers High School- Arkansas Canoe Club prize pack, including a life jacket, helmet, and fees for river school for two for the younger division or a choice of river or whitewater school for two for the older division, provided by the Arkansas Canoe Club.
• Climbing, Junior: "Climbing Story" - Kinley Pickett, Southside Middle School - Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks lodge and two passes for a guided climb or via ferrata, provided by State Parks and Frontier Climbing.
• Climbing, Senior: "RaLynn Sharp"- RaLynn Sharp, Acorn High School - Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks lodge and two passes for a guided climb or via ferrata, provided by State Parks and Frontier Climbing.
• Cycling/Mountain Biking, Junior: "Riding Rose Creek Trail" - Avery Ellis, Christ Little Rock School - OZ Trails Bike Park family day pass, USA Cycling prize pack, and an Ozark Trail Mountain Bike, provided by OZ Trails Bike Park, USA Cycling, and Ozark Trail Bike.
• Cycling/Mountain Biking, Senior: "Together in This" - Estera Cretiu, Homeschool- OZ Trails Bike Park family day pass, USA Cycling prize pack, and an Ozark Trail Mountain Bike, provided by OZ Trails Bike Park, USA Cycling, and Ozark Trail Bike.
• Camping, Junior: "Sleeping Under the Stars" - Emma Buccille, Cedarville Middle School- Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks campground or camper cabin of choice and a PackRat tent and sleeping bag, provided by State Parks and PackRat.
• Camping, Senior: "This is Amazing" - Zander Schoultz, Lakeside High School - Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks campground or camper cabin of choice and a PackRat tent and sleeping bag, provided by State Parks and PackRat.
• Hiking, Junior: "The Hike That Changed My View of Nature" - Reagan Morris, Lincoln Junior High School - Family pass for four to Crater of Diamonds and Gearhead prize pack, provided by State Parks and Gearhead.
• Hiking, Senior: "My State Parks Story" - Payton Tolliver, STEAM for the Next Generation High School - Family pass for four to Crater of Diamonds and Gearhead prize pack, provided by State Parks and Gearhead.

The My Natural State Story contest builds on the Natural State Initiative's key pillars by inspiring more students to spend time outside and improve health and quality of life. Last year, the Governor launched the Arkansas Outdoor Education Pilot program to integrate conservation and outdoor recreation experiences into students' education journey.

Tourism is Arkansas' second-largest industry, welcoming a record 54.3 million visitors to the state who spent more than $10 billion and supported nearly 72,000 jobs directly last year. Since launching the Natural State Initiative in 2023, Governor Sanders has prioritized making the Natural State a leader in the outdoor economy and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, preserving its natural resources, and expanding opportunities for people to experience them.

Last week, the Governor announced the completion of the initial projects of the Maumelle-Pinnacles Master Plan, a long-term vision to expand outdoor recreation experiences, providing more connections for people to hike or bike from downtown Little Rock to Pinnacle State Park and Lake Maumelle. The Master Plan, spanning more than 24,000 acres, will create more trail networks, access points, and outdoor experiences to eventually connect the capital city with Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Rattlesnake Ridge, Lake Maumelle, and Lake Sylvia.

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