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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) --
The Air Force Services Center recently announced its 2021 Air Force Photo Contest winners.
The winners – first, second and third place in five categories – were among more than 950 entries submitted for the annual competition.
This year’s theme was “What a Wonderful World.” Participants could enter up to two images for one of the categories. A panel judged each photo on impact, creativity and technical excellence. Entries were accepted July 1 - Aug. 13.
“It was great to see more entries submitted this year than last year’s contest, and the creativity captured in each of the images was amazing to see,” said Darlene Johnson, Air Force Services Center Community Programs Branch chief.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and force support squadron activities closures, there were a limited number of entries last year. Photographers for this contest captured the beauty of nature and people enjoying the great outdoors.
“I loved the subjects showcased under the theme and how the experience levels varied in the contest,” said Patricia Jagger, Travis Air Force Base, California, Arts and Crafts Center director and one of two judges. “I believe what stood out the most for me was the joy captured from coming together again with friends and family, and the rediscovery of nature during and after COVID-19.”
This was the first time Tracy Dusablon, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Arts and Crafts director, judged entries for the contest, and picking a favorite proved difficult in the process.
“I have done some judging in photography classes but nothing to this scale. I was very impressed with the variety of subjects that the pictures contained,” Dusablon said.
Category winners are:
Youth 6-8 years
First Place - Athena Falu, Dover AFB, Delaware; Second Place - Evie McCoy, Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona; and Third Place - Griffin Swanson, Osan Air Base, Korea
Youth 9-12 years
First Place - Lucy Lyons, RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom; Second Place - Hayden Richardson, Fairchild AFB, Washington; and Third Place - Collin Oler, Patrick AFB, Florida
Youth 13-17 years
First Place - Ashley Roquid, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom; Second Place - Morgan Becker, Hill AFB, Utah; and Third Place - Stephen Lundberg, Kadena AB, Japan
Adult Novice
First Place David -Newman, Beale AFB, Calif.; Second Place - Lynn Morley, Robins AFB, Georgia; and Third Place - Maegan Cheeks, Scott AFB, Illinois
Adult Accomplished
First Place - Joshua Russell, Kadena AB, Japan; Second Place - Horatio Babcock, Edwards AFB, California; and Third Place - Dan Kenemore, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
For those looking forward to next year’s contest, Jagger encouraged people with little to no experience to “Have fun! Shoot everything and shoot often!”
Look for information about the 2022 Air Force Photo Contest in the spring. The call for entries takes place March 1-31.
To view the winning submissions and all the other entries, click here.
