Chotty Sprenkle, contest organizer, recently announced the results of the fourth annual Octoraro Watershed Association (OWA) Photography Contest. As part of the event, participants were asked to submit photos taken in the watershed area, which includes 208 square miles in southern Chester and Lancaster counties, as well as Cecil County, Md.
A total of 65 photos were entered in four categories for youths and adults: Wildlife, Landscapes, Trailcam and Agriculture. "We had a tremendous response this year with some really outstanding photos all taken within the Octoraro Watershed," said Sprenkle.
All photos are now part of a traveling display. The photos will be on exhibit at the Atglen Public Library (APL), 121 Main St., Atglen, through Wednesday, May 1. The exhibit will then be featured at the Oxford Library Company and then the Quarryville Library.
Best of Show was awarded to Steven Berkowitz of Kirkwood for his photo that features a bald eagle in flight while clutching a piece of a fish and a stick in its talons. "It looks like a carp because there are a lot of them in the back section of the reservoir," noted Sprenkle.
In the adult Wildlife category, Tom Murphy of Kirkwood won first place and was a People's Choice award. Karen Neuhauser of Parkesburg won second place and third place.
Winners in the adult Landscapes division were the following: Anita Bower of Nottingham, first place; Donna McCool of Cochranville, second place and a People's Choice award; and Darlene Kreider of Quarryville, third place.
McCool was also the first-place winner in the adult Agriculture division. Berkowitz earned second place and Cindy Emery of Kirkwood captured third place.
In the adult Trailcam division, Rupert Rossetti of Port Deposit, Md., won first and second place, and Sprenkle won third place.
In the youth Wildlife division, Joelle Russell of Quarryville won first and second place, and Nick Kostyk of Cochranville won third places.
Winners in the youth Landscapes division were Elizabeth Novak of Atglen, first place; Kelly Dolan of Cochranville, second place; and Jaymes Cross of Atglen, third place.
In the youth Agriculture division, Abby Fleming of Parkesburg won first place, and Joelle Russell of Quarryville won second and third place.
The winners of the show were announced at the OWA annual membership meeting on March 23 at Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard in Quarryville. Attendees were asked to vote for their favorite photo at the event, and there was a People's Choice tie between McCool and Murphy.
This year, students from the newly formed Students of the Watershed club at Octorara Junior-Senior High School, led by teacher Amanda Keifer, also participated in the contest.
"This was our first venture with them. We went into class and described what the OWA was and what we do and how we could partner together. (We asked the students) to pick out photos from their phones and enter the categories," said Sprenkle. "The graphic arts department at the school helped them print out the photographs and mount them."
The photos taken by the Octorara students were on display for a week at the high school prior to being taken to the APL.
Leave a Review