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KATONAH, N.Y. Photos of juicy, sun-dappled tomatoes, a chorus line of pool jumpers and multiple variations on sandy-beach scenes await visitors to the Katonah Village Library this season. One might never guess, though, that all this work, some of which could pass for professional, was actually done by children.
Teens and tweens from Katonah and surrounding communities were awarded prizes Monday for their creative summertime photos in the Katonah Village Library's annual teen photography contest.
The library has been running this competition for 10- to 18-year-olds for the past three years, with participants divided into two age groups: 10- to 13-year-olds and 14- to 18-year-olds.
Thirty-five photos made up a sizable pool of entries on this year's theme, "Visions of Summer," said Patricia Humphreys, contest coordinator and teen librarian.
"The photos entered in this year's contest were extraordinarily creative," Humphreys said. "It was very difficult for the judges to chose the winners from all these wonderful pictures."
Contest judges were Library Director Van Kozelka, staff members and volunteers from the community who have backgrounds in the arts.
"It was fun to judge these pictures, and they were all very special," Kozelka said.
In the 10-13 age group, first prize was awarded to Simone Nix, 12, for "Jumping Off the Boat House Roof." Second and third prizes were awarded to Braden Bailey, 12, for "Love Is in the Air"and Allie Voltaggio, 11, for "Pool o' Bubbles."
Pauline November, 15, won first prize in the 14-18 age group for her piece titled "Man's Best Friend." Ally Moreo, 15, won second prize for "Spark of Childhood," and Bailey Burke, 14, won third prize for "Doggie Paddle."
November, a rising junior at John Jay High School, said her prize-winning photo was taken at Tobacco Caye, a small island in Belize. She was inspired by the sky, she said, the look of the wooden dock, and the boy and dog in the distance.
November said she has not had any formal training, but she is looking forward to taking a photography class in school this year.
"I have had a real interest in photography for about three years now, and bring my camera almost everywhere," she said.
All of the contest submissions are on display at the library. They also may be viewed on the library's website.
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