Reporter-News Archives

Sunday, June 21, 1998

Baird student nets lifetime hunting and fishing license

By JOHN STARBUCK / Abilene Reporter-News

BAIRD -- An area teen-ager's writing skills have allowed her to reel in a prize highly desired by outdoorsmen.

Krystal Windham of Baird will soon receive a lifetime hunting and fishing license for winning an essay contest sponsored by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

"I'm shocked that I actually won something," the 14-year-old said after reading a press release Friday. "I didn't think I'd win at first; just be one of the runners-up.

"I just wanted to enter it to see how it would come out," said Windham, who will be a freshman at Baird High School this fall.

The Wildlife Expo Poster, Essay and Poetry Contest attracted entries from about 2,000 students across the state. One winner per grade was picked from grades K-6 for the poster contest and from 7-12 for the essay portion.

Two winners were chosen for the poetry section, one from grades K-6 and one from 7-12.

Windham was one of 15 students winning top honors.

Windham's family has had a longstanding relationship with animals.

"My grandfather raises cattle and I have a few goats and I show rabbits in the local 4-H stock show," said Krystal, the daughter of Dyer and Kathy Windham.

Also receiving her affections are a parrot along with some chickens, cats and dogs.

Windham's essay, which was about 600 words, focused on the theme, "Grounds for Outdoor Adventure."

"I just explained how other people see the outdoors and what they would call an adventure," she said.

Her favorite adventure is going camping with family and friends.

In addition to the license, Windham also will be given a one-year subscription to the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine and two free tickets to the Texas Wildlife Expo Celebrity.

An aspiring veterinarian, the teen-ager doesn't have any favorites among the many, different species of wildlife.

"I like them all," she said.