Each year Walker Furniture has an annual photo contest for high school photography students. This year, 8 high schools participated in the contest and in total they had over 200 entries. The 2023-2024 theme was “Las Vegas, the city that has it all.”
Back in September, all photo students were given the opportunity to submit a photo for the contest. Students were “encouraged to think beyond the razzle dazzle of Vegas and consider what makes a strong community” such as the “beauty of our natural environments.” They asked students to “examine the ways that people in Las Vegas show compassion.”
Last year Shadow Ridge won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Walker Furniture contest. Now for the second year in a row, Mr. McConnell’s Photo II and Photo III have earned multiple awards.
Autumn Ahlstrom took first place, winning a cash prize of $250, and Maya Salomon took second place, winning a cash prize of $125. These two students’ photos will be displayed at the Walker Furniture atrium, in a Review Journal advertisement and on Walker’s social media, newsletter, and website. Ahlstrom and Salomon’s photos can also be seen on display in the 300s hallway.
Ahlstrom had been out of town the week prior to the contest and had to come up with something quick.
“When I found out I won I was surprised, but obviously very proud of myself for being able to accomplish that. I didn’t know I would appear in the ad until recently. I am excited to be able to share it.”
In order to select the contest winners, Walker Furniture judges must look through all of the entries and select the final three photos. Many photography and multimedia students look forward to these competitions every year. Competitions not only give students the opportunity to show off their work, but to gain more experience in the photography field.
Salomon has been in yearbook and involved with arts at Shadow Ridge for the past three years, she’s no stranger to having her work out on display, and it makes her happy to know that other people are hearing about her work.
“I’m completely astonished that I won the contest, it was a complete surprise and I’m very happy and proud of myself for getting second place. I am very excited to be in the newspaper.”
Besides the photo competition, Walker Furniture has other student competitions including art, writing, and visual/literary art. Each one has a unique theme and set of rules for students to follow. More information about contests can be found on the Walker Furniture website.
