September Photo of the Month Winners Announced

SEPTEMBER WINNERS

First Place: Aleah Johnson, Lawson High School

Continuing the tradition, senior Blaize Vaughn and sophomore Dawson Smith carry the flags as they tear through the banner with the rest of their varsity football team. “I am most excited to finally make a name for ourselves this season,” Vaughn said. “It is no secret that we’ve struggled the last few years, but we are now a new team, a new brotherhood, and a new family.” This game against Warsaw on Aug. 30 was the Cardinal’s first of the season. (Aleah Johnson Lawson)

Judge’s Comments: Wow! What a beautiful photo. Great exposure and crystal clear thanks to fast shutter speed and amazing color. Nice use of depth of field subtly in the background. I feel like this is a quintessential image of high school in September for so many students.

Second Place: Tommy Ruffin, North Kansas City High School

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT: Getting the home crowd hyped, senior student body president Reanna Alshalabi leads a chant in the student section at the Sept. 6 football game against Park Hill. The Hornets lost to Park Hill, 13-20. (Tommy Ruffin NKC)

Judge’s Comments: I loved this candid moment in your student section. There is so much happening here but we can still tell who the photo’s direct subject is. Nice use of leading lines and depth of field. I might have cropped a bit tighter to avoid the top quadrant of your photo being pretty blank.

Third Place (tie): Elise Leon, Webster Groves High School AND Daniel Benitez, Platte County High School

Four Cheers For Victory, junior Kaniya Farmer preforms her dance routine during Webster Groves opening night football game against Hazelwood West on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Webster Groves, Missouri. (Elise Leon WebsterGroves)

Junior Jack Utz scores a touchdown during the second quarter against Grain Valley on Friday, Sept. 6. The Pirates won 52-21. (Daniel Benitez PlatteCounty)

Judge’s Comments: I couldn’t decide between these two– the first one has perfect composition, great use of depth of field to blur the background a little bit (but not too much) and nice exposure. The second one captured such a great moment with perfect exposure–I just wanted it cropped a bit tighter to avoid so much sky.

Best Swim Photo of the Month: Evelyn Jungers, Francis Howell High School

Just Keep Swimming, On September 7th, Francis Howell Senior Blake Spiller practices before competing in the Fort Zumwalt West invitational. (Evelyn Jungers FHHS)

Judge’s Comments: I added this category because there were SO many swim photos this month, and so many excellent ones! This one had the best composition and exposure, and we could clearly see his face and expression. Great use of fast shutter speed to capture a very brief moment. See several other great swim photos in the Honorable Mentions.

Honorable Mentions (this was such a tough month for judging–SO MANY great photos!)