2012 Picture of the Year Winners
co-sponsored by National Press Photographers Association
Junior High/Middle School
First Place
Lauren Anderson
Imprints, Mesa MS, Castle Rock, Colo.
Judge’s comments: Great picture. The photographer got on the ground to clean up what was most likely a cluttered background. The composition is what is really striking about this image. Then you notice there’s a moment happening with the players. Great job. We all agreed we would have run this picture in our paper and been proud of it.
Second Place
Justin Hancock
The Masterpiece, Bak MS of the Arts, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Judge’s comments: Dissecting a pig is always a time for subjects to show real emotion. We like how the photographer filled up the frame with the subjects and all their hands lead into the pig. Good job.
Third Place
Sara Jarvis, Jordan Loeser
The Scrapbook, Westfield MS, Westfield, Ind.
Judge’s comments: Nice job by the photographer to get behind the scenes to tell a story. The light and composition really work as does the moment. I want to also commend the photographer for writing a nice caption. Awesome.
Honorable Mention
Delilah Roberts
Yearbook, Mirman School, Los Angeles, Calif.
Honorable Mention
Nicholas Sodnicar
Eagle Eye View, Sierra MS, Parker, Colo.
Honorable Mention
Olenka Burghardt
Eagle Eye View, Sierra MS, Parker, Colo.
Honorable Mention
Richard McIntyre
Yearbook, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 School, Pittsburgh, Pa.
News Picture
First Place
Grace Finley
Hornet, Bryant HS, Bryant, Ark.
Judge’s comments: This image had a lot going for it immediately. The composition is perfect as is the moment. The subject at the right is tack sharp as everyone else is a little blurred, which gives the image energy. The light and color are also working nicely.
Second Place
Barrett Wilson
Featherduster, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas
Judge’s comments: Sad, but beautiful image. The color and composition, not to mention the content, all come together to tell the story. The tiny chopper looks like it has its work cut out for it.
Third Place
Carly Granato
Jag Wire, Mill Valley HS, Shawnee, Kan.
Judge’s comments: Moment, moment, moment! That’s what this picture is all about. The joy of the subject on left and the totally humble and surprised homecoming king are simply priceless.
Honorable Mention
Carlo Nasisse
Odyssey, Clarke Central HS, Athens, Ga.
Honorable Mention
Lucy Leonard
The Southerner, Henry W. Grady HS, Atlanta, Ga.
Honorable Mention
Carina Lofgren
Wayako, Wayzata HS, Plymouth, Minn.
Honorable Mention
Joel Quinones
The Lion, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas
Feature Picture
First Place
Jake Crandall
The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
Second Place
Charlie Hunnicutt
Hornet, Bryant HS, Bryant, Ark.
Third Place
Emily Darrow
The Squall, Dexter HS, Dexter, Mich.
Fourth Place
Chris Bull
El Paisano, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas
Fifth Place
Molly Halter
Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
Honorable Mention
Kathleen Ritter
Petroglyphs, Sedona Red Rock HS, Sedona, Ariz.
Honorable Mention
Jonathan Van Horn
Wingspan, James C. Enochs HS, Modesto, Calif.
Honorable Mention
Holly Cuozzo
Warrior, Sherwood HS, Sandy Spring, Md.
Honorable Mention
William Johnson
Earthwinds, Jackson Preparatory School, Jackson, Miss.
Honorable Mention
Mandi Ellsworth
Spark, Lakota East HS, Liberty Township, Ohio
Sports Action
First Place
Hannah Kunz
Featherduster, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas
Second Place
Matt Brosig
Lone Star, James Bowie HS, Austin, Texas
Third Place
Taylor de Laveaga
The Precedent, Perry HS, Gilbert, Ariz.
Fourth Place
Gianna Dimick
Highlander, Carlmont HS, Belmont, Calif.
Fifth Place
Jenny Oetzell
Pilot, Redondo Union HS, Redondo Beach, Calif.
Honorable Mention
Brandon Davis
Pride, Benicia HS, Benicia, Calif.
Honorable Mention
Gabrielle Saupe
Odyssey, Clarke Central HS, Athens, Ga.
Honorable Mention
Danielle Norton
Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
Honorable Mention
Amber Garrett
South Paw, Park Hill South HS, Riverside, Mo.
Sports Reaction
First Place
Kate Jacobsen
The Northwest Passage, Shawnee Mission Northwest HS, Shawnee, Kan.
Judge’s comments: Wow. This is one raw, emotional image. There was no doubt in any of the judges’ minds. Add to that a great quote about playing your last game ever in high school and this picture succeeds even further. Really, really nice image.
Second Place
Shelby Tauber
The Lion, McKinney HS, McKinney, Texas
Judge’s comments: Storytelling image. All the elements come together to tell it. Scoreboard. Dejected player. Consoling dad. It’s got it all. The composition is perfect, too.
Third Place
Danielle Norton
Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
Judge’s comments: Extremely intimate moment captured by the photographer. It isn’t easy pushing the shutter release in a situation like this. Kudos for the photographer for being brave enough to make an important picture.
Honorable Mention
Mia Rubin
The Scratching Post, Vernon Hills HS, Vernon Hills, Ill.
Honorable Mention
Jordan Reinhardt
The Express, Blue Valley Northwest HS, Overland Park, Kan.
Honorable Mention
Celia O’Flaherty
Dart, St. Teresa’s Academy, Kansas City, Mo.
Environmental Portrait
First Place
Katie Cowart
The Prospective, Bryant HS, Bryant, Ark.
Judge’s comments: Very well composed image with nice light and feel.
Second Place
Mike Desocio
Inkblot, Communications HS, Wall, N.J.
Judge’s comments: A successful portrait gives a sense of who a person is and this picture is successful. The use of light is well executed and the moment is wonderful.
Third Place
Miranda Gibbs
The Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East HS, Prairie Village, Kan.
Judge’s comments: The stark contrast really makes the subject pop from the frame. The photographer did a good job of showing a make-up artist as a work of art.
Honorable Mention
Chris Bull
El Paisano, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas
Honorable Mention
Hannah Kunz
Featherduster, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas
Honorable Mention
Rian Allen
Panther Prints, Plano East HS, Plano, Texas