The fifth annual Print Those Pics Cell Phone Photography Contest open house and awards ceremony took place Aug. 24 at the SISD District Service Center.
The event showcased more than 200 entries submitted by students and staff in the yearly photography contest.
Tamekia L. Brown, SISD deputy superintendent, opened the awards ceremony by welcoming and sharing a few words with guests at the DSC.
“Print Those Pics is an innovative contest that allows all SISD employees and students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and put some amazing photos on the walls right here at the DSC,” Brown said. “Great job to all the participants!”
Winners were recognized within four different categories, elementary, middle school, high school and employee during the awards ceremony.
Three individuals were recognized per category and with the top winner of each category taking home a huge gift basket filled with art supplies and a $50 gift card to Walmart.
First place in the high school category went to Pebble Hills High School sophomore Dyllan Scott for his unique shot of his welding gear.
“I think this event is a phenomenal way to bring the community together, especially after everything that has gone down the last three years, it's definitely a great outlet for people,” Scott said.
Natalie De La Cruz, an eighth-grade student at SSG. Manuel R. Puentes Middle School and first place winner in the middle school category, entered a photo she took while on a trip with her family over the summer to White Sands National Park.
“I’m very into photography,” De La Cruz said. “I like being able to see the world through a lens.”
Maria Sosa, an assistant principal at Escontrias STEAM Academy, placed first in the employee category for her landscape shot of the Guadalupe Mountains at sunset.
“I think this event is great,” Sosa said, “I’m elated to have won first place and so happy that the fine arts department puts on this contest.”
Emerald Gamblin, a second-grade student at Cactus Trails Elementary and who placed first in the elementary category, submitted a photo of a selfie from when she lost a tooth.
“I was excited, surprised and happy to hear I won because it's the first time I’ve ever won in my whole entire life.”
To submit an entry, participants were required to follow contest guidelines of using a photo taken within the 2022 year with a cell phone camera. The numerous entries featured various subjects, including pets, landscapes, vacation shots, and more.
Each participant was allowed to submit up to two photos in the contest and entry requirements included submitting 11”x14” prints, either in color or in black and white, and manipulated or edited entries using only a cell phone application.
Macka Jones, SISD fine arts facilitator for visual arts, said he was pleased with the numerous creative and unique entries that were submitted and with the turnout for the open house.
“I was really excited about this year's submissions,” Jones said. “Everyone really showed up and it was a great competition.”
Entertainment for the event was provided by the Eastlake High School orchestra and mariachi group and tasty hors d'oeuvres were passed out to guests to enjoy as they walked around and admired the photos that decorated the walls of the DSC.
Published September 30, 2022
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