Marion County is buzzing with pride as one of its own, Ella Brittnacher, a ninth‑generation resident, has stormed into the national Top 10 quarterfinals of the Jr. Ranger Competition. Hosted by Ranger Rick Magazine and hosted by wildlife expert Jeff Corwin, the contest invites children ages 4–12 to showcase their love of nature—with the grand prize including $20,000, a feature in Ranger Rick, and mentorship from Corwin himself. According to the official Jr. Ranger rules, the competition follows an intense bracket format: starting with Top 20, then Top 15, Top 10, Top 5, Group Finals, a Wildcard round, and now, the Quarterfinals (taking place June 30–July 10).
Ella, with an affection for animals and dream of becoming a veterinarian, embodies the values of Ranger Rick—a magazine published since 1967 by the National Wildlife Federation that aims to inspire wildlife passion among kids. Ranger Rick Jr., its sister publication for ages 4–7, is filled with animal stories, nature activities and games
To vote for Ella, visit jr-ranger.org/2025/ ella-f27e and click the “Vote” button—it’s free and only takes a second. You’ll be asked to verify through Facebook to ensure one vote per person per day. Be sure to come back daily, and keep an eye out for bonus 2-for-1 voting days to double your impact.
