2007 WINNING ENTRIES
LOUISIANA OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION
YOUTH JOURNALISM CONTEST
Each year, the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) sponsors its Youth Journalism Contest to encourage youth literacy and encourage the wise use of our outdoor resources. The contest is designed to interest students in writing and photography about outdoor subjects such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or any activity in the outdoor spectrum.
The contest is open to all students 18 years of age and younger. This year 248 students submitted 339 entries from across Louisiana and a few from Mississippi.
The winners of the 2007 contest were honored at the annual LOWA conference in Shreveport, Louisiana on Saturday night, August 18, 2007.
Each category receives the following prizes:
1st Place--$150.00 and a certificate
2nd Place--$100.00 and a certificate
3rd Place—$50.00 and a certificate
Honorable Mention (4th Place)—certificate only
The winners learned their ranking in the contest at the awards ceremony. Any student who was unable to attend will receive his/her check and/or certificate by mail after the event.
Gordon Hutchinson, Youth Journalism Contest chairman said: “This was our second largest contest to date, and again the judges had a difficult time choosing the winners. The quality of submissions was high, and showed real skills and creativity in writing and photography. We congratulate all the winners, and encourage everyone to enter again next year. You are all winners in our book when you are promoting the wise use of our outdoor resources and learning to communicate your appreciation of them.”
SENIOR ESSAY (14-18 YOA) 72 entries submitted
1st Place
David Henderson 17 YOA
“Philmont, New Mexico”
C.E.Byrd High School
Shreveport, Louisiana
2nd Place
Jake Hayden 16 YOA
“One Glass of Nature, Please”
The Dunham School
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
3rd Place
Caitlin Norris 17 YOA
“My Favorite Place"
BC. E. Byrd High School
Keithville, Louisiana
Honorable Mention
Elliott Boudreaux 15 YOA
“My Redfish Spot”
Episcopal High School
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
JUNIOR ESSAY WINNERS (13 YOA and Under) 95 entries submitted
1st Place
Amanda Wolff 13 YOA (Repeat winner in 2006)
“The Hunt”
Home Schooled
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2nd Place
Michael Carrigee 13 YOA
“Hunting the Dark Continent”
Home Schooled
Folsom, Louisiana
3rd Place
Maria LaGrone 10 YOA
“The Day I Will Never Forget”
Home Schooled
Livonia, Louisiana
Honorable Mention
Luke LeBlanc 10 YOA
“My First Deer”
Holy Family School
Addis, Louisiana
PHOTO WINNERS (18 YOA and Under) 172 entries from 81 students submitted
1st Place
Brittany Alane Barbay 10 YOA
“Acadian Home in Black and White”
Bains Elementary
St. Francisville, Louisiana
2nd Place
Michael Gronowski 17 YOA
“ The Shoreline”
St. Amant High School
St. Amant, Louisiana
3rd Place
Gaia Burrage 12 YOA
“Trees Shrouded in Fog”
Boyet Junior High
Slidell, Louisiana
Honorable Mention
Robert Gallant 17 YOA
“Sunset Lake”
Airline High School
Bossier City, Louisiana
Honorable Mention
Amy Weaver 14 YOA
“Black Labrador”
Monteleone Junior High School
Metairie, Louisiana