Photo Contest Winners Page

  • Winners of HSLDA's Annual Photography Contest

  • View the winning photos of previous HSLDA photography contests below. Start by selecting an available year from the first drop-down menu, and then select an age category from the second drop-down menu. Scroll down to view that year's theme and the winning photos, as well as the finalists listed at the bottom of the page.

  • Category 1 (ages 7–10): Vibrant

    Submit a photo that embodies the word vibrant.

  • 1st Place

    "Bright and Beautiful" by Eliana Nebbeling, East Lansing, MI
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  • 2nd Place

    "Sun Burst" by Heidi Foy, Redwood Falls, MI
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  • 3rd Place

    "All That Glitters Is Not Gold" by Zachary Judson, Lilburn, GA
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  • Honorable Mention

    "Flower Child" by Milly Peterson, Bismarck, ND
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  • Honorable Mention

    "Washing Rainbows" by Melrose Pettit, Murray, KY
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  • Finalists:

    “The Fire Fungus” by Molly Updegraffm Trenton, ME

    “Flying on Broken Wings” by Xayden Yagiela, Santa Clarita, CA

    “burst of color” by Lydia Klausli, Columbia, SC

    “Sunrise at Gettysburg” by Jonah Smith, Angola, IN

    “Dreams” by Grace Barbat, Saint Charles, IL

    “Flowering Grass” by John Malloy, Red Lion, PA

    “Grasshopper” by Joshua Herzog, Miami, FL

    “Vibrant Monarchs and Lilies” by Kiley Reinstad, Janesville, WI

    “Long live the Mushroom” by Claire Teichert, Mechanicsville, VA

    “Cute Little Green Frog” by Juliette Netto, Mechanicsville, VA

    “Jelly Sandwich” by Abigail Keifrider, Manassas, VA

  • Category 2 (ages 11–14): Impressive

    Submit a photo that embodies the word impressive.

  • 1st Place

    "Pick a Card" by Emma Bishop, Jonesville, NC
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  • 2nd Place

    "Strength and Grace" by Ella Braman, Richlands, NC
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  • 3rd Place

    "Foggy Freestyle" by Archer Anderson, Fenton, MI
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  • Honorable Mention

    "Saguaro Sunset" by Sienna Wiersma, Tucson, AZ
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Sunset Over Home” by Ethan Unverferth, Ouray, CO
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  • Finalists:

    “Sunbeam in Antelope Canyon” by Addison Stamatoiu, San Ramon, CA

    “Stunning Reminder of His Refuge” by Abby Horchuck, Telford, PA

    “Heaven’s Reflection” by Lucy Combs, Colorado Springs, CO

    “Towering Into The Clouds” by Mason Unverferth, Ouray, CO

    “Snowy Egret” by Isaiah Wynne, Washington C.H., OH

    “Wild Among the Wildflowers” by Ethan Unverferth, Ouray, CO

    “Hanging Out” by Seth Harris, Mooresville, NC

    “NYC Skyline Reflection” by Angelina Brower, Woodbridge, NJ

    “We All Can Use Some Uplifting” by Charlotte Stewart, Fork Union, VA

    “Born in the USA” by Emma Nelson, Fresno, CA

    “Details of a Dragonfly” by Sara Christiano, Tampa, FL

    “Morning Rain” by Nolan Boras, Broomfield, CO

    “Beyond the Bland” by Jubilee Matthews, Belton, MO

    “Worm Digging” by Ruth Oertel, Moores Hill, IN

  • Category 3 (ages 15–19): Ornate

    Submit a photo that embodies the word ornate.

  • 1st Place

    “Refraction” by Abby George, Linwood, NY
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  • 2nd Place

    “Tomato Hornworm” by John Strange, Union Mills, NC
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  • 3rd Place

    “Harmony of Henna” by Chloe DeGraeve, Madison, AL
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Antique Beauty” by Lauryn Atwood, Wilseyville, CA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Diaz Pesos” by Alexander Rose, Albany, CA
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  • Finalists:

    “Colorful Character” by Malachi Isome, Redding, CA

    “Wings on Pansies” by Abigail Timmer, Hopkins, MI

    “Morning Majesty” by Amy Siebert, Gastonia, NC

    “Reflections” by Abigail Jenkins, Bellefontaine, OH

    “U.S. Capital Rotunda” by Lillian Neff, Curwensville, PA

    “Beauty Within” by Jansen Stahl, Columbus, MI

    “Leaf Labyrinth” by Abby George, Linwood, NY

    “Leaf boi” by Ashley Scoon, Corpus Christi, TX

    “The Ornament Arches” by Gabrialla O’Hagan, West Melbourne, FL

    “Raindrop Succulent” by Abigail Timmer, Hopkins, MI

    “Adorned in Feathers” by Alyssa Mazak, Egg Harbor Township, NJ

    “The Residences” by Sophia Davis, Mt. Vernon, IL

    “Lantern Ecstasy” by Leanna Carlson, Elgin, IL

     

  • Category 1 (ages 7–10): Small

    Submit a photo that embodies the word small.

  • 1st Place

    “Just one Drop!” by Danea Vidales, Thornton, CO
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  • 2nd Place

    “Hidden Treasure” by Marisa Mermoud, Waynetown, IN
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  • 3rd Place

    “Chippy Reminds Us to Always Recycle” by Eliana Nebbeling, East Lansing, MI
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Character the Caterpillar” by Ruby Pettit, Murray, KY
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Chippy Does the Laundry” by Eliana Nebbeling, East Lansing, MI
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  • Finalists:

    “Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly” by Zayden England, Alvaton, KY

    “The Little Bee on a Sunflower” by Grace Carlson, Elizabeth, CO

    “Purple Petals” by Adah Stenersen, Wilmington, NC

    “Spiky Ball” by Sarah Enfinger, Colquitt, GA

    “Glossy web in the morning” by Annabelle Botha, Hutchinson Island, FL

    “Rippling Flower” by Jackson Beck, Hamburg, PA

    “Summer Daisy” by Isaiah Smith, Angola, IN

    “Blanketflower Beauty by Siena Alonzi, Davison, MI

    “snowflakes melting” by Joanna Spender, Enfield, ME

    “Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly” by Zayden England, Alvaton, KY

  • Category 2 (ages 11–14): Natural

    Submit a photo that embodies the word natural.

  • 1st Place

    “Spring Scene” by Leah Mason, Gentry, AR
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  • 2nd Place

    “Regality” by Tobiah Gorneau, West Gardiner, ME
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  • 3rd Place

    “Point of view” by Emma Bishop, Jonesville, NC
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Early Morning Reflections” by Isabella Reay, Woodland Hills, CA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “African Sunset” by Landon Hopper, Weatherford, TX
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  • Finalists:

    “Tufted Titmouse with Personality” by Samuel Kitkowski, Mishawaka, IN

    “The Observer” by Judah Brogdon, San Antonio, TX

    “Perfectly Devine!” by Larissa Vidales, Thornton, CO

    “Token of the Covenant” by Elijah Pettit, Mounds, OK

    “Cardinal in Winter” by Christopher LeBlanc, Montgomery, TX

    “Raindrops” by Alison Trahan, Edmond, OK

    “Hope through Molly’s Eyes” by Nina Hasbrouck, Walton, NY

    “Radiant Reptile” by Lydia Rivera, Tampa, FL

    “Succulent” by Emily Wheeler, Marysville, OH

    “Peaceful Sunrise on a Lake of Reflection” by Jonah Smith

    “Promises” by Annajoy McCallister, Eagar, AZ

    “The Fungus Among Us” by Gabriel Faulkner, Enterprise, AL

  • Category 3 (ages 15–19): Dazzling

    Submit a photo that embodies the word dazzling.

  • 1st Place

    “Comet neowise” by Gabe Cooper, Nevada City, CA
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  • 2nd Place

    “Blinding Lights” by Madison Foltz, Apache Junction, AZ
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  • 3rd Place

    “Notre Dame de Montreal” by Trinity Alvarez, Miramar, FL
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Purple Flower in Dewdrops” by Abram Looy, Big Rapids, MI
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  • Honorable Mention

    “God’s tapestry” by Jennica Bowman, Snowflake, AZ
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  • Finalists:

    “Sunset” by Joseph Ng, Santa Clarita, CA

    “Brilliant Streams Among Golden Flowers” by Abigail Nispel, Red Lion, PA

    “Frozen Fireworks” by Abby Lane, Enfield, ME

    “God’s Light Show” by Gavin Martin, Greencastle, PA

    “Illuminated Snail” by Anne Amalong, Chapel Hill, NC

    “Buoyant Beauty” by Lillian Neff, Curwensville, PA

    “Riding On Top of the World” by Gage Schlueter, Moscow, ID

    “Holden Beach Sunset” by Ryan Boyd, Saint Charles, IL

    “Blithesome” by Sophie Sanchez, Atascadero, CA

    “America’s Finest Dazzle” by Taylor Ackerland, Santee, CA

    “Alone in a crowd” by Margaret Alvine, Palmdale, CA

    “Another Day has Dawned” by Abigail Goodman, Kannapolis, NC

    “A dewy morning” by Megan Keller, Belfair, WA

  • Category 1 (ages 7–10): Hidden

    Submit a photo that embodies the word “hidden.”

  • 1st Place

    “Anise Swallowtail Butterfly Pupa and The Hidden Glue” by Ily Marie England, Alvaton, KY
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  • 2nd Place

    “I lost my lamb” by Eli Herman, Kulm, ND
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  • 3rd Place

    “Garden Thief” by Anders Kraemer, Paynesville, MN
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Sunny Days” by Rachelle Kraemer, Paynesville, MN
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Bunny in Bushes” by Constance Hardy, Bald Knob, AR
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Baby Birds” by Annemarie Burckel, Hoover, AL
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  • Honorable Mention

    “The Lurking Cuteness” by Roland Guthrie, Colorado Springs, CO
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  • Finalists:

    “Peek-a-boo” by Caiden Fontanez, Dover, PA

    “Underwater Hide-and-Seek!” by Maverick Marceau, Dexter, NY

    “Hiding in Plain Sight” by Roland Guthrie, Colorado, CO

    “The Hidden Grumpy Cricket” by Zayden England, Alvaton, KY

    “The Nice Spider” by Easton Posey, Orangeville, PA

    “The Butterfly and the Hidden Cup” by Zayden England, Alvaton, KY

    “Jimmy Shaffer Takes a Nap” by Jubilee Cvar, Cheyenne, WY

    “Wolf Spider” by Simon Oertel, Moores Hill, IN

    “Massey Harris in the Weeds” by Alexander Hendress, Wilton, IA

    “Begging for a Treat” by Liam Kraemer, Paynesville, MN

    “Hidden Beauty” by Gabe Underwood, McGee, MO

    “Coming in for a Landing” by Gracelynn Juett, Ainsworth, NE

  • Category 2 (ages 11–14): In Your Face!

    Submit a photo that embodies the phrase “in your face!”

  • 1st Place

    “Duck!” by Emma Oertel, Moores Hill, IN
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  • 2nd Place

    “Summer Hummer” by Joel Aeschleman, Newhall, CA
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  • 3rd Place

    “Blissfully Blowing Bubbles” by Kylie Knobloch, Wayland, MI
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Welcome to the Party!” by Katelyn Schutte, Kentwood, MI
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Butterfly Belle” by Mariska Schooley, Waynesboro, PA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “A Little Summer” by Emma Adkison, Ennis, TX
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Head of the Flock” by Nicholas Dunn, Hermitage, TN
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  • Finalists:

    “Wide Eyed” by Grant Westbrook, Graniteville, SC

    “In the Face of God’s Creation” by Damian Kochergin, Lincoln, CA

    “Sweet Summer Days” by Hannah Keisling, Bluffton, SC

    “Hee Haw Hello!” by Cate Thornton, Athens, WV

    “Blinding” by Esther Herman, Kulm, ND

    “Kitten Cuddle” by Melrose Pettit, Murray, KY

    “Heartburn” by Dominic Cabrera, Salado, TX

    “Chicken Little” by Andoni King, Imlay City, MI

    “Hello Beautiful” by Brooke Oldfather, North Manchester, IN

  • Category 3 (ages 15–19): Nostalgic

    Submit a photo that embodies the word “nostalgic.”

  • 1st Place

    “Medieval Escape” by Lillian Neff, Curwensville, PA
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  • 2nd Place

    “Freedom!” by Thia Scott, Mobile, AL
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  • 3rd Place

    “Jack” by Noah Carter, Simpsonville, NC
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Weathered” by Liliana Harper, Midland City, AL
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” by Sophia Tavolacci, Woodside, NY
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  • Honorable Mention

    “VINTAGE FILM FORGOTTEN” by Ela Cabunoc, Fallbrook, CA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Many Winters Gone By” by Jackson Varga, Le Roy, WV
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  • Finalists:

    “64 Years” by Lee Winn, Peachtree City, GA

    “Simplicity” by Ela Cabunoc, Fallbrook, CA

    “No Vacancy” by James Bowman, Snowflake, AZ

    “Zoom!” by Carianne Holt, JBLM, WA

    “Sunday Drive” by Taylor Snook, Clermont, FL

    “Turn of the Century Typewriter” by Abigail Austin, Peachland, NC

    “Books in a Barn” by Krista Moore, Colorado Springs, CO

    “Pen of the People” by Lainey Carpenter, Scarbro, WV

    “The Dr’s Car” by Kathryn Richards, Prairie du Sac, WI

    “Vistoso” by Nora Sullivan, Carrollton, GA

    “Riding Down Memory Lane” by William Marinello, Jacksonville, FL

  • Category 1 (ages 7-10): Fancy

    Submit a photo that embodies the word “fancy”.

  • 1st Place

    "Playing Dress-Up" by Erin Byrd, Evans, GA
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  • 2nd Place

    "The Roses of the Night" by Jacob Adkison, Ennis, TX
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  • 3rd Place

    "Crystal Columns" by Caleb Adkison, Ennis, TX
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  • Honorable Mention

    "Spotlight" by Lucas Locascio, Carmel, NY
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Elegance” by Faith Rinehart, Vadnais Heights, MN
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Queen Susannah” by Gregory Sims, Sylacauga, AL
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  • Honorable Mention

    “The Eloquence of a Toddler” by Sophie Green, Bradenton, FL
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  • Finalists:


    “Butterfly” by Willow Jean Jones, Unionville, TN

    “Pretty In Pink” by Mark Toews, Narvon, PA

    “Fancy Sun” by Griffin Fussman, Mount Pleasant, MI

    “The Lone Teacup” by Adeline Scott, Clayton, NC

    “Fancy is Flowers” by Rhylynn Wallenburg, Culleoka, TN

    “Tea Party with Jenny” by Kate Larson, Osseo, WI

    “Tea Party in the Gardens” by Faith Rhinehart, Vadnais Heights, MN

    “Intricate Doorknobs” by Creed Fuhriman, Nashport, OH

    “The Guardian” by Esther Schwinghammer, Wahpeton, ND

  • Category 2 (ages 11-14): Serene

    Submit a photo that embodies the word “serene”.

  • 1st Place

    “Peace at Quartz Lake” by Buster Makinen, North Pole, AK
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  • 2nd Place

    “The Promise” by Alison Trahan, Boise, ID
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  • 3rd Place

    “Bluebells Kissing a Mountain Stream” by Hannah Dietrich, Graysville, TN
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Sleeping Beauty” by Nicholas Dunn, Hermitage, TN
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Good Morning” by Andrew Stevens, Lakebay, WA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Jellyfish Floating Listlessly Under a Sea of Blue Serenity” by Rachel Shafer, Archbold, OH
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Rippling Stream” by Justice Street, Defiance, OH
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  • Finalists:

    “Morning Dew” by Sophia Morris, Minnetonka, MN

    “A Restful Place” by Sean Scott, Clayton, NC

    “Running River” by Michael Korman, Arroyo Grande, CA

    “Meditation” by Madeline Male, Fairway, KS

    “Dawn Over the Rockies” by Cora Hardley, Grand Forks, ND

    “Afterglow” by Adelyn Mason, Ankeny, IA

    “Red Barn in Pocahontas County, West Virginia” by James Barkley, Marlinton, WV

    “Peaceful Perch” by Adah Stenersen, Atkinson, NC

    “Coastal Sunset” by Kozette Walter, La Center, WA

  • Category 3 (ages 15-19): Simple

    Submit a photo that embodies the word “simple”.

  • 1st Place

    “First Life” by Elisabeth Shay, Irvine, CA
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  • 2nd Place

    “The Reptilian Gaze” by Hannah Hainge, Fayetteville, NC
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  • 3rd Place

    “Wheat in the Wind” by Amelia Booher, Fayetteville, NY
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Anticipating the Peace” by Elisabeth Shay, Irvine, CA
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  • Honorable Mention

    "Leaf Me Alone” by Keelan Clough, Marion, IA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Little Subject, Big View” by Quin Jones, Spokane, WA
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  • Honorable Mention

    “Sing A New Song” by Hayden Riley, Hanover, VA
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  • Finalists:

    “Black Hole” by Isaiah Gonzales, Hayward, CA

    “Once Second of Stillness” by Lianne Annoni, Lake Forest, CA

    “Sunrise Reflection” by Jordan McGuire, Fort Wayne, IN

    “Dance of a Lifetime” by Callie Brimberry, Wolfforth, TX

    “Fresh Dewy Cherries” by Allison Estabrook, Hanover, VA

    “Hand in Hand” by Thomas Imrick, Fort Wayne, IN

    “Resting in the Shade” by William McDonald, Owens Crossroads, AL

    “Play With Me?” by Ela Cabunoc, Fallbrook, CA

    “Casual Mountain Stroll” by Quin Jones, Spokane, WA

    “Lonely Tree” by Katie Rea, Mueang, Chiang Mai



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