FORT STEWART, Ga. Twenty-three youngsters, digital cameras in hand , put their imagination, creativity and photography skills to work during the recent ImageMakers National Photography Contest.
The local contest was conducted by Child, Youth and School Services in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club at Fort Stewart. Participants came from the middle school and teen and school age services programs.
This is the second year the ImageMaker competition has been held at Fort Stewart. Nationally, the contest has been held since 1960. Its goal is to help youth "uncover their artistic talents, develop their creative skills and even explore related career opportunities." The top winners' photographs from this year's local event will be entered into a regional competition.
The results of their work impressed a panel of judges, who said they had difficulty choosing the photographs that will go on to the next level of the competition.
Images included some unusual angles, such as a view showing only the shoe-tops of four friends standing toe-to-toe; and a close-up of the face of the 3rd Infantry Division's mascot, "Rocky."
Other images that caught the judges' and viewers' eyes included a sunburst, and a close-up of a young photographer focusing his camera on a fellow photographer taking his photo.
All of the images were displayed at the Post Exchange entrance area to allow shoppers to enjoy them before they were moved to Club Stewart for the awards ceremony, March 19.
First prize in the middle school and teen competition went to Kelsea Fallon for the shoe-top photo, called "Unity." Second place went to Marion Lang for "Twilight," a photo of a sunset, and third place was awarded to Morgan Williams for her photograph of a "Smiling Dog."
First prize in the 9-and-under school age services competition went to Brandon Velasco for "Fight for Freedom," a photograph of a young person looking at the monument in Marne Garden. Second prize went to Jordan Epperson for "Fish" and third to Alexie Buchs for "Rocky."
Linda Heifferon, Director of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, praised the work of each participant and thanked them for their participation.
The other MST participants were Anthony Chambers, Gavin Fallon, Josh Hill, Charles Mclaughlin, Derick Nelson, Anthony Patron, Dashawna Pirtle, Lauren Prox, Quivon Sarlin, Jordan Seabrook and Mary Williams.
Holly Epperson, Jacob Harris, Austin Lathem, Haley Lathem, Hussan Muhammad and Jamia Stackhouse were the other participants in the SAS-level competition.
Linda Schumm, Training and Program Specialist, said the participants spent about 90 days taking the photos and preparing to submit their work for the contest.
She and SAS Director Joan Styles formed a CYSS team to oversee the event. Other staff assisting with the program were SAS computer lab technician Douglas Carter, MST computer lab technician Luis Vargas, MST homework lab technician Mary Kane, SAS training and curriculum specialist Sarah Hagood, and lead SAS program technician Brenda Morgan.
"There was more involved than just taking the photos," Schumm said. "They not only had to learn how to use the camera, but also about what makes a good photograph. We had a matting and framing specialist come in and teach the kids how to prepare their photos for the contest."
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