Chambana Sun

The Moments That Matter Photography Contest has revealed its winners, showcasing the talents of 4-H youth in Illinois. The contest, open to 4-H members aged 8-19, aimed to develop participants' technical skills, creativity, and storytelling abilities through photography.

Danielle Gapinski, a University of Illinois 4-H youth development specialist and co-sponsor of the contest, emphasized the importance of visual communication skills in today's workforce. "This contest is a fantastic way for youth to apply visual communication skills, an increasingly valuable asset in today’s workforce," she said. "By capturing Moments That Matter, they are building both artistic and technical competencies that will serve them in future careers."

The theme for this year's contest was "Moments That Matter," encouraging participants to capture meaningful experiences through their lenses. Gapinski noted that these images reflect personal growth and skill development among young people involved in 4-H programs.

Willard Rozanas from Boone County secured first place, followed by Ezra Brust from DeKalb County in second place and Lilah Johnson from Lawrence County in third place. In addition to overall winners, several specialty category awards were given out: Clayton Snyder of Hancock County won Best Use of Theme; Aubree Specogni of Perry County received Most Powerful Story; Emma Bafaloukos of DuPage County was awarded Best Use of Lighting; Nora Rozanas from Boone County earned Rising Star; Resmiranda Small from Shelby County took Best Use of Leading Lines; and Sophie Rieckenberg from Randolph County received Best Use of Perspective.

For those interested in learning more about 4-H visual arts programming locally, contacting the local Extension Office is recommended.

Illinois 4-H is a prominent youth development program under the University of Illinois Extension. It aims to empower young individuals with leadership skills and prepare them for future careers through hands-on experiences. Research indicates that participants are more likely to contribute positively to their communities and engage actively in STEM programs.

For further information on the contest or related inquiries, Danielle Gapinski can be contacted at des85@illinois.edu.