Gravette School District is thrilled to showcase the last student photography exhibition of the year. For the March + April cycle, our middle and high school students took on four new themes: Spring, Black & White, Shadows & Silhouettes, and Frame Within a Frame.
We are glad to see so many kids pick up a camera and throw their hat into the ring. We hope all participants continue to experiment with their photography, sharpen their skills, and share their unique views of the world.
We also want to extend gratitude to Bedford Camera & Video of Fayetteville for sponsoring this phase of the competition. As a cornerstone of the Northwest Arkansas creative community, Bedford Camera has spent decades supporting photographers of all skill levels, from beginners learning the basics to seasoned pros. By generously providing gift cards to our top three overall winners, they are directly investing in the future of our young artists.
Spring
Black & White
Shadows & Silhouettes
Frame Within a Frame
3rd Place - March + April 2026 - Frame Within a Frame — Sydnee Edwards (8th Grade)
This entry takes a creative and humorous approach to the Frame Within a Frame prompt by placing the Gravette Lion Fieldhouse inside an actual picture frame held in the foreground. In photography, “frame within a frame” usually means using something inside the scene to surround the subject, and this photo uses a literal frame to do exactly that. The evening sky, glowing lights, and recognizable Gravette landmark all help create a well-balanced image that stands out for both its creativity and strong community connection.
2nd Place - March + April 2026 - Shadows & Silhouettes — Celia Mellers (9th Grade)
This photograph, titled “1 Corinthians 13:13," captures silhouetted hands forming a heart shape against a bright orange sunset sky. With very few distractions in the frame, the viewer’s attention is immediately drawn to the recognizable heart shape and the dramatic color of the sky behind it. The raised arms create strong lines that naturally guide the eye upward toward the center of the image, while the soft gradient of the sunset gives the scene a calm and uplifting atmosphere. The silhouette effect works especially well here because it turns an ordinary gesture into something symbolic, allowing shape and contrast to carry the image.
1st Place - March + April 2026 - Black & White — Henry Chernota (8th Grade)
This winning black-and-white photograph shows a young girl walking down a quiet country road surrounded by trees, with her back turned toward the camera as the road curves ahead of her. The black-and-white effect works especially well here, helping the contrast between the road, trees, and subject stand out clearly without the distraction of color. With the subject placed smaller in the frame, the photograph captures both the feeling of the landscape and the sense of a journey ahead, creating a calm and thoughtful image for the Black and White category.
Runner-Up - March + April 2026 - Spring — Tori Craig (8th Grade)
This close-up photograph shows a horse eating fresh spring clovers, focusing closely on the contrast between the bright green plants and the remaining winter vegetation in the background. The image captures an early sign of spring while keeping the attention centered on the animal and the new growth. The close perspective and seasonal details make this a strong and memorable photo for the Spring category.
Runner-Up - March + April 2026 - Black & White — Lukas Easley (8th Grade)
This black-and-white photograph captures a horse in profile, with light detail visible in its coat, mane, and face. The use of black and white helps emphasize texture and contrast throughout the image, while the softly blurred background keeps the focus on the horse itself. The calm expression and clear detail create a simple but very effective image for the Black and White category.
Runner-Up - March + April 2026 - Frame Within a Frame — Whitley Vore (8th Grade)
This photograph, titled “just chill’in,” uses the branches of a fallen tree to naturally frame the subject in the center of the image, creating a strong example of the Frame Within a Frame category. The focus and texture of the wood contrast with the background, helping the subject stand out clearly. The relaxed pose and outdoor setting give the image a natural and easygoing feel.
Runner-Up - March + April 2026 - Shadows & Silhouettes — Isabella Allen (11th Grade)
This photograph uses strong backlighting from a classroom smartboard to create a clear silhouette of a student holding an open book. The bright screen behind the subject creates a sharp contrast between light and shadow, making the silhouette stand out immediately. The classroom setting connects well with the title “Teaching” and turns an everyday school moment into a strong entry for the Shadows/Silhouettes category.
Special Thank You
Thank you to all of the students who participated in this round of the photography contest. Your submissions show the time, thought, and creativity you put into seeing the world through your own perspective. Each photo reflects a different way of noticing details, capturing moments, and telling a story through an image. We appreciate your willingness to share your work with our schools and community.
We also want to thank the teachers and staff who help make this contest possible through their encouragement, support, and coordination behind the scenes. Finally, we are grateful to Bedford Camera & Video of Fayetteville for sponsoring this cycle and supporting student creativity. Their partnership helps provide meaningful recognition for our student photographers and encourages them to keep learning, practicing, and creating.