2004 PSA Youth Showcase

Some of the photography teachers who enter the PSA Youth Showcase have facilities consisting of an entire room with multiple darkroom stations, numerous enlargers, a camera for every student, and access to the latest in technical advancements. Others have nothing more than a closet sized darkroom with accordion folding walls, one enlarger, and about three Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras which students can "sign nut" for a single weekend to take their photos. Yet the instruction, creative development, assistance, and encouragement provided by these mentors result in photographs of exceptional quality and impressive artistic endeavors. As one judge commented, "We don't give these teachers enough credit for all they accomplish." The results of the 2004 PSA Youth Showcase certainly bear witness to the outstanding job these teachers are doing, as demonstrated by the five category winners displayed on these pages.

The winner of the Architecture category was Crescent by Jakub Rzepka of Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco, sponsored by the Yerba Buena Chapter. The Human Interest category award went to Dad and Cinnamon by Lauren LeMaire of New Iberia Senior High in Louisiana, sponsored by the Lafayette Photographic Society. Capitol Reef by Catherine Jackson was the winner in the Landscape/ Waterscape category. A student at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy in Idaho, Catherine is sponsored by the Inland Empire Chapter. The Photojournalism category winner was Remember When by Tara Spencer from Riverdale Christian Academy in California, sponsored by the Fresno Camera Club. Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI, gave us our winner in the Photographer's Choice category as well as this year's recipient of the Brian Michael Goldberg Youth Photography Award Medal. Lindsey Kampmeier's print, Reading, was selected for this award established by Dr. Gerald S., APSA. and Mrs. Goldberg in memory of their son, a young photographer. Lindsey was sponsored by the Photo Pictorialists of Milwaukee.

In addition to the Goldberg Medal, Lindsey will receive a one-year membership in the Photographic Society of America, a $150 cash award set up by the Goldbergs, and a $300 cash award sponsored by Freestyle Photographic Supplies, a new sponsor contributing to youth photography. The other four winners will receive a $50 award, a one-year membership in PSA, and a $100 Freestyle cash award.

Freestyle will also award $50 to each of the first honorable mentions in each category. The following honorable mention prints were selected as runner-ups in each of the five categories. In Architecture, the first honorable mention went to Skylights by Kelly Boyle of East High School in Denver. Evening Shadows by Robert Diehl Montandon of Central High School in Davenport, IA, received a second honorable mention.

For the Human Interest category, Derek Spencer was awarded first honorable mention for his print, Big, Brother's Help. Derek attends Riverdale Christian Academy in California. The second honorable mention went to Can't Touch This by Jennifer Gaylord of Owasso High School in Oklahoma.

First honorable mention in the Landscape/ Waterscape category went to Megan Barry for her print A Moment for Reflection. Megan attends Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, CO. Also from Colorado, the second honorable mention chosen by the judges was Dark Forest by Margaret Van Houten of Skyview High School.

A Day at the Track took the Photojournalism category's first honorable mention for Shannon Keene of Kingfisher High School in Oklahoma. Second honorable mention went to Urforgotten Past by Emily Stone of Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, CO.

Honorable mentions in the Photographer's Choice category were awarded to foul young photographers. The first honorable mention print was Lonely Feather by Nick Wittman from St. George's School in Spokane, WA. Perception by Kelsey Erickson took the second honorable mention. Kelsey attends Apple Valley High School in Minnesota. Sovana San's print, Wondering, was awarded the third honorable mention. Sovana attends Sunnyside High School in Fresno, CA. Appleton West High School in Wisconsin furnished Never Ending by Dylan VanDerLoop, the fourth honorable mention print.

The above listed photographers will receive certificates of excellence. All of the prints will be on display at PSA Headquarters in Oklahoma City from October through December. Certificates of exhibition will be awarded to the makers of all the other prints chosen for display at the Bloomington, MN, conference.

This year's selection was placed in the very capable hands of three judges from the Photocrafters Camera Club in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa: Al Doyle, Mary Curtis, and Arman Gaulrapp. Evaluating over 300 prints, the trio worked hard at winnowing down the exceptional prints to those few recognized as award winners.

A great deal of thanks must go to some very special people who continue to work hard to make the PSA Youth Showcase a growing success. These dedicated people are: Joseph J. Zaia, FPSA, Photographic Club of Flagler County; John Yurchak, Rocky Mountain Chapter; Jack Worthen, FPSA, Fox Valley Camera Club; Juanita Uribe, Cosmopolitan Chapter; Joanne Stolte, PPSA, Southern California Council of Camera Clubs; Nancy Salinas, Minnesota Valley Camera Club; Dr. Richard L. Pokorny, Inland Empire Chapter; Hiram Paley, Central Illinois Camera Club Association; Alyce and Jim Pagano, Yerba Buena Chapter; Claudia P. Morgan, Lafayette Photographic Society; Carol McCrcary, Oklahoma Camera Club; Edgar Lower, APSA, Central Illinois Camera Club Association; Barbara E. Kuebler, Everglades Chapter; Richard Kniesbeck and Peter Skiba, Wisconsin Chapter; Daryl Hurley, Topcka Camera Club; Richard M. Frieders, FPSA, Chicago Chapter; Gerald Emmerich, FPSA, East Troy Viewfinders; Lee H. Cates, APSA, Fresno Camera Club; Kathy Braun, APSA, Photo Pictorialists of Milwaukee; and James A. Baker, APSA, Cascade Chapter. Also included in this special group are the many club, chapter, and council members who work along with these contact people.