The Official Site of the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association

MIJA
The Official Site of the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association

MIJA
The Official Site of the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association

MIJA
Categories:

February Photo of the Month Winners Announced

March 4, 2025

FEBRUARY WINNERS

First Place: Jaydn Qualls, Richland R-1 School

Richland senior Tucker Hughes put down a dunk in the second half as the #1 seeded Richland Rebels complete the three-peat tonight, defeating the #2 ranked Delta Bobcats 80-67 in the Class 1, District 2 tournament, giving Richland three district championships in a row. This is the first time in Richland school history the Rebels have won three straight district championships. (Jaydn Qualls/Richland)

Judge’s Comments: This was a jaw-dropper. Amazing use of remote shutter (I’m guessing) in capturing the ball, his arms and his facial expression all extremely clearly. I also love it when the photographer turns the camera to get a vertical shot. Wow.

Second Place: Caroline Greene, Parkway Central High School

Parkway Central Head Coach Paul Hussman and the team erupt in celebration after a big play during the Senior Night game on Feb. 20. Despite the highlights of the night, the Colts lost to Ladue 57-46. (Caroline Greene/ParkwayCentral)

Judge’s Comments: Beautiful, perfect exposure. I love the moment you framed here and how you caught the coach “floating” in the air. Nice use of rule of thirds–be careful not to cut people’s feet off if possible, otherwise awesome reaction photo.

Third Place: Sophia Liebl, Staley High School

Taking a stroke during finals at the Class 2 State Championship, senior Zoey Stalone competes during prelims in the 100-yard freestyle Feb. 20. She earned 24th place. Girls swim state was held at the City of St. Peters Rec-Plex. (Sophie Liebl/Staley)

Judge’s Comments:  Another fantastic swim photo this month. Beautiful color of the water and I like the 45-degree angle rather than straight up or straight to the side in order to catch her face as she came up for breath. Her hand/arm is just a tad blurry, but the water droplets are perfectly clear.


Honorable Mentions: (SO many great photos this month, everyone! Wow!)

MIJAFeb2025-MB-mccga0208 - WAYNE, KATHERINE
Malu Biju/FrancisHowell
TAKE IT TO THE GRAVE: Junior Autumn Benson prepares for a flag toss during the MCCGA Guard Festival at Francis Howell High School. "We were right about to throw our last toss, so it was very dramatic," Benson said. "[I love] being able to have fun and create a show like this."
View Story Comments
Print this Story
Tags:
More to Discover
More in Photo of the Month
AGAINST YOURSELF: Mary-Jane Fleming (11) swims the 500 freestyle event during the City of Roses Invitational in Cape Girardeau. "The most challenging thing about the 500 is being in the water against yourself. The 500 is a long race and during that it's you and your mind." Fleming said, "You're mentally trying to push yourself at times that you want to go slower or don't want to keep going. It's a big mental game that you have to be willing to play."
January Photo of the Month Winners Announced
AND ONE: Flying in for a layup, senior guard Kam Tate is fouled on his shot while still getting it to go down. Tate went on to hit the free throw to cut the Rock Bridge lead down to three, and set up a game tying three-point shot to send the game into overtime. "We just gotta out hustle everyone else and get to bucket," Tate said.
December Photo of the Month Winners Announced
Senior Blaize Vaughn catches a pass right outside the end zone to run it in for a touchdown. “All I was thinking about during this play was how much not just my team but all of Lawson needed me to get into that end zone,” Vaughn said. This was the team’s second-round district game against Brookfield, which they lost 28-14, ending their season with a 5-6 record.
November Photo of the Month Winners Announced
Actor Addison Keith performs on stage, Saturday, Apr. 13, 2024, in O'Fallon, Missouri. Keith got to play her dream role, The Dragon in the West Highs performance of Shrek the Musical. "I wanted to be the dragon from the start, she's very fierce and I think she's just misunderstood," said Keith. (The Predator (Josh Gornet))
April Photo of the Month Winners Announced
On March 16, junior Waylon Templeton pitches to the Lexington Minutemen batter in the second game of a varsity baseball double header. “I felt good going into the second game," Templeton said, "and I trusted my defense.” Templeton led the Cardinals to a win, 15-5.
March Photo of the Month Winners Announced
Senior Noah Keen celebrates winning a state title in the 138-pound weight class. Keen was the only male Spartan wrestler to win a title at the Class 4 Missouri championships over the weekend of Feb. 23-24.
February Photo of the Month Winners Announced
More in Photo of the Month Winners
"In a tearful embrace during the Falcon Brigade’s Senior Night Oct. 25, senior Leah Folkman hugs junior Salma Castillo. At halftime, seniors were recognized and stepped out of their shoes to make way for underclassmen. “It was definitely an emotional feeling,” Castillo said. “I have a lot of friends that are seniors this year, since I’m a junior this year, and watching them have them their last marching season and knowing mine was coming up, too, was a sad feeling, but also a joyous feeling because I’m glad I got to be there in that moment with them.”
October Photo of the Month Winners Announced
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.
September Photo of the Month Winners Announced
During the seventh annual talent show, junior Divya Kollipara performs a classic dance originating from southern India known as Bharatanatyam."Dance means everything to me," Kollipara said. "I can put in all my emotions into it and create an amazing performance that people can enjoy." Kollipara said. At the end of the night, Kollipara was announced as the judges choice winner of the talent show. "I was not expecting to win, I felt very honored and grateful that I won."
January Photo of the Month Winners Announced
"Violinist Ayman Amerin, performs a solo, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in O'Fallon, Missouri. Ayman performed the solo during Fort Zumwalt West High's yearly winter orchestra concert using an electric violin recently purchased using bond money. (The Predator/Josh Gornet) "
December Photo of the Month Winners Announced
Singing to Flounder, senior Sam Ragone performs as Sebastian in the theatre department's musical production of The Little Mermaid with senior Kaitlyn Seim. A lot of character work went into studying Sebastian's crab walk, burning his legs after every show. "I'm pretty grateful that I got Sebastian, because not only did I get to sing some of the pretty iconic songs, but it was really fun to see how I could fit into the character as my own self," Ragone said.
November Photo of the Month Winners Announced
Tap It In Play. Natilie Biere (7) squares up for a bunt against the Brookfield Bulldogs in the home game on October 4th. Biere made contact with the ball, placing it down the first base line. While Biere was thrown out at first, she advanced base runner, Anastyn Carter (8), to second base.
October Photo of the Month Winners Announced