Winners of the Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest received prizes on
Wednesday, January 29, 2020, in celebration of Kansas’ 159th birthday at the Kansas State Capitol.
Governor Laura Kelly presented awards to the winners from first through 12th grades. First place in each
grade receives an iPad and second place a Kindle. Marearl Denning, represented the legislative spouses
who sponsor the contest, now in its sixth year, in conjunction with the Kansas Historical Society.
The statewide contest invited students to shoot photographs based on the theme, Going to School in
Kansas, throughout the state in 2019. Photographs from the 24 winners will be on display online at kshs.org/18622.
These are the winners in the 2019 photo contest:
First grade:
First place: Winston James Alexander, “Painting Applies,” Lawrence
Second place: Jarett Riley, “Anderson Hall,” Galva
Second grade:
First place Rebecca Barnhardt, “Arvonia School,” Lebo
Second place: Josie Beltz, “Cheering for the Home Team,” Galva
Third grade:
First place: Tanner Riley, “School in One Room,” Galva
Second place: Zoe Koon, “Enhanced Learning,” Overland Park
Fourth grade:
First place: Alyssa Babcock, “Waiting for the Bell,” Topeka
Second place: Faith McMannis, “Roxbury Remnants,” Canton
Fifth grade:
First place: Maekenna Wyrick, “First Day of School,” Hoisington
Second place: Lizzy Sturgeon, “Standing Beauty,” Topeka
Sixth grade:
First place: Addison Sibley, “Old Schoolhouse,” Topeka
Second place: Jack Eaton, “The Hard Truth,” Shawnee
Seventh grade:
First place: Kyle Christopher Miller, “Winter Sunrise at Drop-Off” Derby
Second place: Braxton Miller, “One Room School House,” Harveyville
Eighth grade:
First place: Abraham Hilbert, “Face-Off,” Seneca
Second place: Liam Alexander Bell, “Empty Entrance,” Leavenworth
Ninth grade:
First place: Elizabeth Singh Dhillon, “The Bells of St. Marys,” Saint Marys
Second place: Noah Behrends, “District 34,” Wellsville
10th grade:
First place: Alysson Wells, “Neon Night,” Columbus
Second place: John Michael Dill, “Scenery,” Bucklin
11th grade:
First place: Matthew Cunningham, “Graduation,” Graduation
Second place: Mariah Bailee Jo Stout, “Undefeated,” Bucklin
12th grade:
First place: Jamasen Nichols, “Escaping the Dark and Lonely,” Lehigh
Second place: Monica Costa, “Friends,” Galva
The Kansas Historical Society is located at 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka KS.
You can reach them at 785-272-8681, ext. 262, or at www.kshs.org.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
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