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

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December Photo of the Month Winners Announced

January 2, 2026

DECEMBER WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: Chris Matthews, North Kansas City

HERE ME ROAR: At the Multicultural Festival assembly on Dec. 5, junior Lynn-Truc Nguyen is lifted by her partner to reveal her identity at the end of the Lion Dance. This performance represented one of the many cultures celebrated at NKC’s fifth annual Multicultural Festival event. The Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese performance where dancers perform in a colorful lion costume to bring good fortune and chase away negative energy. (Chris Matthews/North Kansas City)

Judges Comments: The judges love the emotion, framing, color, lighting and the unique experience captured in this photo.

 

SECOND PLACE: Mohammad Barakat, Parkway South

Securing her opponent’s neck in a half-nelson, senior Avery Godwin earns the pin in the first tournament of the year. The win put her into the semifinals. “This is my fourth year wrestling, and I love competing and working hard toward a goal. This was my second match of the night. I won my first one, and for this one I got her down for about 8 seconds, and I was pinning her. I was looking at the ref, waiting to be pulled off.” (Mohammad Barakat/Parkway South High)

Judges Comments: This photo, with the smirk by the subject, captured emotion during a moment, one of the main goals of photojournalism.  The use of rule of thirds helps tell that story.

 

THIRD PLACE: Aleah Johnson, Lawson

Going up for a shot, junior Preston Barker rises above Wellington-Napoleon defenders. “A challenge we had during the Wellington game was having to overcome turnovers in the 3rd quarter,” Barker said. Barker led the team with 16 points during this Dec. 15 game. (Aleah Johnson/Lawson)

Judges Comments: This photo captures the peak of action. It also has great rule of thirds, balance, and good use of technical camera skills.

 

HONORABLE MENTION:

AidenOrchestra-2 - Christine Stricker
Esther Wang/Parkway Central
Aiden Moon (12) plays violin for the orchestra during the Masterwork Concert on Dec. 11. Moon is the concertmaster of the orchestra and the first chair of the first violin section. “For me, the Masterworks concert is a beautiful culmination of Parkway Central’s musical talent. Expanding from our own ensembles and making music with those closest to me is a remarkable experience, for it isn’t everyday that you get to share your passions with such a large group of people,” Moon said. “I really hope we continue this tradition so future generations are able to experience the joys of classical music.”
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