4-H youth capture Washington County in photo contest

Washington County, Maine — 4-H photographers demonstrated their skills at the 2024 University of Maine Cooperative Extension Washington County 4-H Contest, capturing animals, architecture, farm life and more.

This annual contest allows youth to develop and practice their expressive arts skills, including using media to communicate and capture special moments while considering lighting, angles and more. Participants, ages 5-18, were allowed to submit up at six entries in their age division. Categories included nature/landscape, people, animals, architecture, 4-H activities and storyboard. Twenty one photos were entered in the 4-H photo contest this year. All entries were judged on focus, lighting, print quality, subject, composition, impact quality and uniqueness. 

Blue ribbons in the junior division, ages 9-13, were awarded to Cobscook Currents 4-H club members Soren D. for “A Lesson on Lines” and “Ghost Bridge” in the architecture and nature/landscape categories. Ruth B. received blue ribbons for “Staying Strong” and “Lonely Landscape” in the architecture and nature/landscape categories. Théo M. also received a blue ribbon for “Water Shed” in the architecture category.

A judge’s choice award was presented to Cobscook Currents 4-H Club member Soren D. for “A Lesson on Lines”. Two cloverbuds from the Crafting Clovers 4-H Club (ages 5-8) received judge’s choice awards, Joseph M. for “I Hate Loud Noises” and Lux M. for “I love you”. 

Photos were judged by Fern Hilyard, Marketing and Communications Assistant at Washington Academy; Cathy Lookabaugh, Community Outreach Manager at Maine Coast Heritage Trust and Robert McCollum, President of the Roque Bluffs Community Center. 

All photos were displayed at the Washington County Fair and will be on display at the Lubec Memorial Library, 55 N. Water Street, during the month of September.

For more information about the contest or 4-H, contact Gabrielle Brodek at 207.255.3345; 1.800.287.1542 (toll free within Maine) or by email at gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and help grow the food-based economy. Extension also leads Maine’s 4-H program, the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in the state. 4-H programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing and are developed to fit a variety of backgrounds, interests, budgets and schedules. Participants complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.