TOPEKA — Winners of the Happy Birthday, Kansas! Student Photo Contest received prizes on Wednesday at the Kansas State Capitol in celebration of Kansas’ 159th birthday.
Governor Laura Kelly presented awards to the winners from first through 12th grades. First place in each grade received 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 in the Capitol visitor center through Feb. 5, and online at kshs.org/18622.
Following 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