A watercolor painting of a Red Bus driving up Going-to-the-Sun Road will be on next year's Glacier National Park annual pass. The artist and first place winner of the annual park pass artwork contest is Turner Haugen, seventh grade student at Whitefish Middle School and Stumptown Art Studio in Whitefish.

"We were looking for the iconic image of the Park," said Park Superintendent Jeff Mow. "This is a terrific opportunity to celebrate some of our youth."

He added that art is an important part of the Park's history of more than 100 years.

Mow announced the top three winners July 2. Second place went to Alysha Ward, a senior at Glacier High School, for her painting of a lake at sunset. Third place went to Tara Seager, sophomore grade student at Glacier High School, for her drawing of a river and mountain. Their artwork may be used in publications and to advertise next year's contest. All three winners received a gift certificate from the Glacier National Park Conservancy to use in their stores.

The conservancy has sponsored the contest for many years, said Mark Preiss, president and CEO of Glacier National Park Conservancy.

"As we look forward to the centennial celebration of the National Park Service, this art contest is a great way to connect the next generation of Glacier stewards to the Park," Preiss said.

Haugen will receive a free 2016 park pass showing his artwork when it is available in January. Although he has never ridden on a Red Bus, this icon of the Park inspired his drawing.

"My art teacher gave us the idea of using the Red Bus in our picture," Haugen said.

This is the third year that artwork that will be featured on the park pass. In previous annual art contests, postcards were made of the winning artwork and the contests were for a broader age range.

There were around 40 entries, which were judged on the use of color, design and accuracy and that display the majesty of Glacier National Park in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial.

The winning artwork of this year and previous years is available to view on the Park's website under the kids and youth tab.