The Chester County Library System has announced the winners of its second annual Teen Photo Contest, titled Color Our World. This announcement came during a celebratory reception held on August 10, 2023, at the Chester County Library in Exton, Pennsylvania. The event, designed as an open house, attracted guests of all ages who came to support the young photographers and view a stunning gallery of original artwork created by local students.
The contest welcomed entries from residents and students in grades 6 through 12 attending schools within Chester County. Participants had the opportunity to submit photographs in two categories: Traditional Photo, which required minimal editing, and Anything Goes, where digital manipulation and artistic enhancements were encouraged.
April Nickel, the Youth Services District Coordinator, noted the impressive turnout, stating, “This year we had 52 total entries from 18 different townships and boroughs throughout the county.” The winners were announced at 1:30 PM and their works are now displayed in the library vestibule, available for public viewing until August 30, 2023.
Winners of the Photo Contest
The winners in both categories have shown exceptional talent and creativity. In the Traditional Photo category, the first-place winner is Chase V., a Grade 11 student from Oxford, Pennsylvania, for his photograph titled “Sunset in Parallel.” The second-place award went to Lacy T., a Grade 12 student from West Chester, with her piece “After the Storm.” The third-place winner, Sophia S., a Grade 9 student from Malvern, earned recognition for her photograph called “Norwegian Fishing Village.”
In the Anything Goes category, first place was awarded to Zachary D., a Grade 10 student from Chesterbrook, for his work “Stained Electrical Glass.” Autumn G., also in Grade 10 and from Kennett Square, took second place with “Sky on Fire,” while Grade 7 student Rachel M. from West Chester received third place for her entry “Waiting for Water.”
Community Impact and Future Engagement
The Color Our World contest aligns with the Pennsylvania Forward initiatives focused on enhancing basic literacy and civic engagement. It aims to encourage teens to express themselves through visual storytelling while fostering connections within their communities.
The Chester County Library System extends its congratulations to all participants and winners, thanking the community for its enthusiastic support of teen creativity and literacy. The library’s mission is to ensure that every resident has access to exceptional opportunities to read, learn, create, connect, and contribute to a better quality of life.
For more information about library hours and the 18 locations under the Chester County Library System, visit their official website at www.ccls.org. Additionally, a complete slideshow of the contest entries can be viewed on the Chester County Library’s YouTube Channel. Follow MyChesCo for the latest news in Chester County and surrounding areas.
