The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) will honor the winners of its 2010 Youth Journalism Contest (YJC) at its 65th annual conference held in Covington on Saturday, August 7, 2010. An annual event, the contest focuses on building literacy among outdoor youth while promoting involvement in the outdoors.
Winning entries will be available at the LOWA website, www.laoutdoorwriters.com. The Louisiana Chapter of Safari Clubs International (SCI) also publishes the winners in their newsletter.
Students share personal experiences in hunting, fishing, boating, camping, horseback riding, hiking, or any other activities where they engage with nature and the environment. Judges look for literate and enthusiastic work along with photography that captures the essence and spirit of Louisiana.
Prize monies are donated by the Louisiana Chapter of Safari Clubs International, and the Baton Rouge Advocate provided advertising and press releases in the promotion of the contest. First through fourth place winners receive award certificates and cash prizes. The categories are Photography (18 and under), Senior Essay (14-18), and Junior Essay (13 and under).
For more information about LOWA and its membership guidelines visit their website at www.laoutdoorwriters.com .
The winning submissions are also available, along with contact information on the students by contacting Gordon Hutchinson, LOWA Youth Journalism Chairman at ghutchinson@theadvocate.com. Special thanks to the judges (and their teams) of the contest: Senior Essay-Wendy Billiot, Theriot, La.; Junior Essay-John Flores, Patterson, La.; Photography-Deb Burst, Mandeville, La.
The 2010 YJC photography winners and their photos:
1st place:
Flight of the Egret
Jacob Thompson, Age 18
Oak Forest Academy
Amite, LA
2nd place:
Louisiana Reflections
Brittany Gosserand, Age 16
St. Michael the Arc Angle High School
Baton Rouge, LA
3rd place:
Louisiana Stream
Emily Winter, Age 12
Home School
Gonzales, LA
Honorable Mention:
Gator Camouflage
Dylan Duvio, Age 15
John Curtis Christian
Kenner, LA
The 2010 YJC Senior Essays 14-18 age group:
1st Place:
Nature's Spectacle
Catherine Parsiola, Age 18
Berwick High School
Berwick
2nd Place:
Louisiana Education: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic.& Fishing!
Joshua Bellau, Age 14
John Curtis Christian School
3rd Place:
Photo Challenger
Jacob Thompson, Age 17
Oak Forest Academy
Amite
Honorable Mention:
My Outdoors
William Guilbeau, Age 14
Academy of Environmental Sciences
Youngsville
The 2010 YJC Junior Essays 7-13 age group:
1st Place:
Magpie Lessons
Madeleine Juneau, Age 12
Glasgow Middle
Baton Rouge
2nd Place:
Deer Stand Education
Ashley Davis, Age 13
Lee Road Jr. High
Covington
Third Place:
Will I Ever Get To Go Fishing Again
Alexis Lang, Age 10
John Curtis Christian School
LaPlace
Honorable Mention:
Duck Hunting At Dawn
Joe Stassi, Age 12
Dutchtown Middle
Prairieville
