BONNERS FERRY — There is a stereotype of the starving artist. Fia Wagner does not fit that mold.  

On St. Patrick’s Day, two third graders and one fifth grader in Bonners Ferry found out that they won an international contest and with it, prize money. The Fraternal Order of Eagles, a nonprofit charity with approximately 700,000 members across the United States and Canada, announced the winners of its 2026 children’s art contest. 

Out of hundreds of entries from grades 3 through 6, Bonners Ferry third grader Fia Wagner won the grand prize. In addition, fifth grader Declan Armistead finished second in his age group, while Ava Kasper placed third in the third-grade category. 

“We were jumping up and down,” Fia’s mother, Tamara Wagner, said. “We were very happy when we found out.” 

Members of the Eagles in Bonners Ferry were ecstatic when they learned Fia, Declan and Ava all placed in the top three. The Bonners Ferry chapter was tied with Ottawa for the most winners.

“We found out on St. Patrick’s Day,” Lynn Haworth, president of the Bonners Ferry Eagles, said. “We were celebrating and we were just so excited.” 

Fia spent most of the interview letting her mother talk, preferring to do something more fitting: draw. 

The contest win comes after years of art practice. Fia Wagner has been an artist for much of her life, a trait she appears to have inherited from her mother. 

“I’m an artist,” Tamara Wagner said. “She has always been stealing my art supplies since she was little. She has always been very artistic.”   

Contest participants were asked to draw their favorite thing. Fia’s submission of an orange cat was unusual because it was not her family’s pet. 

“I thought what she drew was great,” Wagner said. “It’s kind of funny because the theme of the contest was ‘your favorite thing,’ and she drew our neighbor’s cat because we don’t have any animals.” 

Fia had a clear idea of what she wanted to buy with her prize winnings, which totaled $700. 

“I want to get a 3D printer,” Fia said.   

If her parents let her buy the printer, Fia said she was looking forward to printing animals, with shrimp being her favorite animal. At home, the family has four of them.  

“Their names are Sunny, Sloth, Calico and Whiskers,” Fia said.  

However, her wish for a 3D printer might not come true, as Tamara had a different idea for the best use of the winnings.  

“I’m going to go and start all three of my kids with a bank account,” Wagner said. “So they have a savings plan.”     

It seems the prize money from this year’s competition has awakened something in Fia. She was asked what she would draw next year if she entered the competition again. 

“Money,” Fia said.   

Cash seemed to be a common theme, according to Haworth.   

“One of the other entries was Scrooge McDuck on his money pile,” Haworth said.    

Tamara Wagner, who is part of the artist’s association in town, encourages her three children to participate in the community through their art. 

“Anytime there is anything art related in this town, I encourage my kids to apply,” Wagner said. “They are very excited about it.” 

Fia spends a few hours each day creating. 

“She’s always doing something artistic,” Tamara Wagner said. “She’ll make puppets or figure out how to make videos on the iPad.”  

It was the first time the Eagles in Bonners Ferry had submitted entries for the prize.  

“Hannah (Sucsy) from Teascarlet  helped get the word out,” Lynn Haworth said. “We spread it through social media and then a teacher got a hold of it. We had 13 entries and three winners.”

Haworth said that fine arts should be a priority for Eagles in Bonners Ferry.  

“The Eagles were started by fine arts people over in Seattle,” Haworth said. “That should be dear to our hearts, to encourage the fine arts in this town.”   

“Creativity does so many things for the brain and its development. The arts are everything in my estimation.”   

Haworth said she joined the Eagles because it is about people helping people.   

“It’s just a great organization,” Haworth said. “They’re lovely people, a lot of businesspeople around town and a lot of us retirees and it’s just a great place to be.” 

    Fia Wagner's drawing of her neighbor's cat, which won her the grand prize in an international competition.
  

    Third grader Ava Kasper's picture, which placed third among all third-graders.
  

    Fifth grader Declan Armistead, whose drawing placed second among fifth graders in an art competition run by the Eagles.