Grand Junction High School Photography 1 students submitted photos to the Colorado Teen Month of Photography Exhibit during the fall semester.

There were 260 submissions from around the state, with 60 chosen for the exhibit. Five students out of the 60 chosen were from Grand Junction High School. The students chosen were senior Kaia Gehl, sophomore Kayla Jakopic, senior JoHanna LaDuke, junior Katelyn Madrid, and junior Ava Rinaldi. Gehl, who graduated early, also received an honorable mention award in the show. 

There were many things the jurors made their decision on: Photographic quality, composition, attention to detail, creativity, overall visual impact, personalization/originality, exposure, contrast, and appropriate focus.

LaDuke said, “I have always been interested in photography.” 

LaDuke joined Photography 1 at the beginning of her senior year. She said she was very excited her photography was being shown and she was honestly very surprised she was given an award.  

GJHS art teacher Sean Henry said that the theme of the show was forward looking. Henry said the awards for the show were best of show, 1st, 2nd, and honorable mention. 

 The show will be viewable from March 3 to April 4 in the Red Rocks Community College Library Atrium in Lakewood. There will also be a reception held on March 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.