Last month, Gravette High School and Gravette Middle School launched a year-long photo contest inviting students to explore their creativity through photography. Each month features a new set of categories and fresh opportunities for media students to sharpen their skills.
The October categories were Student Life, Landscapes, Portraits, and Sports. Each photo is reviewed by a panel of Gravette School District staff members who look for strong composition, creativity, and how well each image fits the monthly theme. Judging is qualitative rather than technical, focusing on theme, creativity, composition, and community spirit.
Winners of the top spots receive a prize, made possible by our community sponsors. Below is a gallery of outstanding student work in each of the four categories, followed by the winners and runner-ups for October.
Sports
Landscapes
Portraits
Student Life
3rd Place - October 2025 - Sports - Jayden Allen (10th Grade)
This shot captures pure joy. The players in their Gravette Lions jerseys have pride and excitement on their face, their arms raised against a clean blue sky. Every detail focuses on that feeling, no distractions, just school spirit.
2nd Place - October 2025 - Ashton Beard (9th Grade)
Taken right outside the school, this image turns the ordinary into something striking. Layers of houses, trees, and power lines line up in calm horizontal bands, giving the scene a quiet symmetry. It feels distinctly American. Proof that beauty often hides in plain sight.
1st Place - October 2025 - Hadley Robinson (9th Grade)
Gravette football player, Austin Wolf, captured mid-evasion. The photo has great motion and energy, and for a night shot it holds remarkable clarity. The balance of ISO and aperture keeps the grain under control, letting the moment shine. It’s the kind of image that could appear in a magazine or on a highlight poster. High technical skill on display, in addition to a great moment.
Runner-Up - Sports - October 2025 - Bryor Bohannon (9th Grade)
The Gravette football team charges forward with an Arkansas flag, the scoreboard glowing behind them. The translucent flag, the lighting, and the sense of motion all come together in a cinematic way. It’s a snapshot that captures pride, place, and momentum in one frame.
Runner-Up - Landscapes - October 2025 - Cadence Hanson (7th Grade)
A close-up of a single white mushroom standing out against bright green grass and early fall leaves. Getting down to ground level was a smart choice, it makes this small world feel larger and full of life. A simple subject that reminds us how much beauty hides in everyday places.
Runner-Up - Portraits - October 2025 - Sydnee Edwards (8th Grade)
A close portrait of a corgi with crisp, detailed lighting that brings every strand of fur to life. The framing is strong, and the expression feels alive and personal. A technically excellent and heart-warming portrait that shows strong attention to focus and exposure. This was the top ranking photo in the Portraits category.
Runner-Up - Student Life - October 2025 - Ethan Davis (11th Grade)
Three students sitting on a bench in mid-conversation. The candid timing makes it real and relaxed. Each figure occupies its own space in the frame, creating a natural rhythm across the photo. It’s a perfect everyday moment that shows friendship and connection at school.
A Special Thank You
A huge thank-you to every student who took the time to enter, explore, and share how they see the world. Your effort gives this contest its purpose.
Thank you to the teachers who encouraged students, helped manage submissions, and made time in busy schedules to support creative work.
And thank you to our sponsor Bijou Preservation, for believing in the value of student creativity and helping make these contests possible. Your support gives students a reason to keep creating and a real reward for their effort.