Ellidee Whiting wins statewide Wyoming Football Art Contest

Honored during halftime ceremony

Rocky Mountain Middle School sixth grader Ellidee Whiting was one of just six young artists statewide selected as winners of the UniWyo Credit Union Wyoming Football Art Contest. Ellidee is the daughter of Eddie and Brooke Whiting.

The contest invited Wyoming children in sixth grade and younger to create original artwork showing what Wyoming Cowboy Football means to them. Entries could feature favorite players, Pistol Pete, Cowboy Joe, game-day traditions, War Memorial Stadium or any other part of the Cowboy football experience. Winners were selected by representatives from UniWyo Credit Union and University of Wyoming Athletics based on creativity, originality and overall presentation.

Ellidee’s winning artwork earned her a $100 cash prize, a Wyoming swag bag and four tickets to a 2026 University of Wyoming home football game. She was also honored on the field during the game as one of the contest’s six winners.

Ellidee and her parents and her sisters all attended last Saturday’s Wyoming Cowboy football game, where she was recognized during halftime. They also watched the Cowboys defeat the University of Hawai’i 27-10.

The recognition was a wonderful honor for Ellidee, celebrating both her artistic talent and Wyoming Cowboy spirit. When asked about the experience, Ellidee said she was “very happy to win the contest” and excited about the prizes, especially getting to meet Pistol Pete.

She admitted that seeing herself on the big screen during the game was a little intimidating.

“It was scary to be on the big board at the game,” she said. “It was pretty fun, though.”