POWELL, WYOMING – Prize winners have been announced in the Third Annual Northwest College Photography Contest and Exhibition, with selections made in high school, amateur, and professional divisions. From among the many entries received, a selection committee chose a total of 38 photographs taken by professionals and amateurs, as well as 10 from high school students, which would be included in the exhibit. Renowned conservation storyteller and wildlife photographer Kathy Lichtendahl from Cody served as juror for the contest.

The high school division saw 129 students from Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Texas, and Florida submitting their work. In the amateur and professional divisions, a total of 13 photographers from Wyoming, Colorado, and South Dakota took part in the contest. To create continuity for the judging process, entrants were required to use common museum framing practices by utilizing black metal or black wood frames with white mats in two specific sizes. Cash prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

High School Award Winners

  • 1st place: “East Side Story”, by Julia Copas (McCallum HS in Austin, Texas)
  • 2nd place: “Double Exposure”, by April Surac (West Orange HS in North Cocoa, Florida)
  • 3rd place: “Montana’s Shakespeare”, by Nalani Jordan (Powell HS in Powell, Wyoming)

Amateur Award Winners

  • 1st place: “Walkway to Heaven”, by Jonelle Pollock (Powell, Wyoming)
  • 2nd place: “Untitled”, by James Linker (Lovell, Wyoming)
  • 3rd place: “The Heart of the Sky…” by Lora Ginnetti (Cody, Wyoming)

Professional Award Winners

  • 1st place: “Woody’s Away”, by Troy Powell (Powell, Wyoming)
  • 2nd place: “Quintessential Yellowstone”, by Vicki Olson, (Powell, Wyoming)
  • 3rd place: “Reminders”, by Jeff Codevilla (Spearfish, South Dakota)

The contest serves as a showcase event for the NWC Photographic Communications program and also functions as a fundraiser for scholarship money provided to students interested in pursuing a professional career in photography. Proceeds from the exhibition entry fee were used for the awards, as well as future scholarships.

The exhibition will remain on display through March 21 in SinClair Gallery inside the Orendorff building on the NWC campus. For inquiries about purchasing any of the photographs, please contact the Photographic Communications program at 307-754-6497 or Christine.Garceau@nwc.edu.