Arkansas 4-H’er Earns $450 in State Photography Contest

By Lamar James, U of A Cooperative Extension

First posted on 06-20-2008

LITTLE ROCK - A sharp, close-up photograph of a decorated cowboy boot collected Best of Show honors for Kate G., 17, of Ida (Cleburne County) in the 2008 Ross Foundation 4-H Photography Contest. It was her second Best of Show title in two years.

The black and white photo not only earned her the top honor but also a first place award in the black and white non-living category. She also won second place in color living and third in the black and white living categories. Her placings earned her $450 from the contest, which is sponsored by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Ross Foundation.

Other first-place winners were Emilee J., 10, of Garland County, color living; Cole H., 17, of White County, color non-living; and Boyce C., 12, of Greene County, black and white living. They will each receive $200.

Kate also won Best of Show in the 2006 Ross contest.

Jan Dawson, Cleburne County extension staff chair, said Kate recently graduated from high school and plans to attend Arkansas Tech University at Russellville and work on a nursing degree. Kate is a member of the Kids ‘N Kritters 4-H Club.

“She really enjoys photography and has worked closely with our 4-H program assistant, Larry Jernigan, a former professional photographer. She has done really well in 4-H, and her mother told us she has really seen Kate grow,” Dawson said.

“She has saved money from winning these 4-H contests and bought a nice camera,” she says. “We’re all excited for her.”

Pat Patterson, a photographer for the state police, said the photographs judged were all high quality. “The color was really good, and they were all printed really well,” he said.

Kelly Quinn, a veteran freelance photographer, said she was impressed at the level of participation in the contest. One-hundred-fifty-three entries were submitted by contestants in 42 counties. All of the young photographers had all won contests at the county level.

“I love seeing that kind of participation,” she said.

She said the winning photos were well composed, and one close-up of a hog’s face prompted her to observe, “It looks like the photographer got right down in his face!”

The top three photos in each of four categories received cash awards from the Ross Foundation. The contest is open to 4-H’ers from age 9 to 19.

The winning photos will be displayed next month at the state 4-H O-Rama in Fayetteville. About 800 senior 4-H’ers from across Arkansas will gather at the University of Arkansas campus to compete for scholarships, awards and honors.

For more information about 4-H, contact your county extension agent or visit http://www.uaex.edu and select 4-H Youth Development. 4-H is the youth development arm of the Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

2008 Ross Photography Winners

Color Living County

1. Emilee J. (10) $200 Garland Co.
2. Kate G. (17) $100 Cleburne Co.
3. Kurtlyn G. (11) $50 Clark Co.

Color Non-living

1. Cole H. (17) $200 White Co.
2. Forrest B. (9) $100 Marion Co.
3. Macayla D. (14) $50 Pope Co.

Black & White Living

1. Boyce C. (12) $200 Greene Co.
2. Jordan S. (11) $100 Polk Co.
3. Kate G. (17) $50 Cleburne Co.

Black & White Non-living

1. Kate G. (17) $200 Cleburne Co.
2. Hannah H. (16) $100 Van Buren Co.
3. Kelsie M. (11) $50 Searcy Co.

Best of Exhibit

Kate G. (17) $100 Cleburne Co.