High School Students Win Writing and Photography Awards

Nineteen students from six California high schools were winners in this year’s Pat Vachini Writing and Photography Contest sponsored by OWAC. Cash awards to the winners total almost $1,000. OWAC established the Pat Vachini Outdoor Writing Scholarship Fund in memory of the wife of Don Vachini, long-time OWAC member and one of California’s foremost outdoor writers and photographers. “Being out in nature is healing, as we’re experiencing right now with people wanting to enjoy parks and recreation areas safely during the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Bob Semerau, OWAC Executive Director. “This award encourages high school students to consider careers in outdoor journalism so they can inspire readers to explore the outdoors.” The Pat Vachini Outdoor Writing Contest, which is open to California high school students, is named for the late wife of Don Vachini, long-time OWAC member and one of California’s foremost outdoor writers and photographers. OWAC is the only organization of outdoor media professionals in the state of California. Members includes newspaper and magazine staffers, freelance writers, book authors, bloggers, internet outdoor websites, photographers, broadcasters, editors, and media professionals covering downhill and x-country skiing, snowboarding, winter sports, bicycling, fishing, camping, birding, boating, water sports, wildlife watching, camping, and other outdoor recreation.
2022 FINAL RESULTS, HIGH SCHOOLWRITING ENTRIES
Student High School Title Category Rank
Wegner, Booker Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “maui poems” Poetry *1*
Parmenter, Marcie Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “Memory and Poetry” Poetry *2*
Evison-Behrman, River Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “Spring Equinox/Summer Solstice” Poetry *3*
Felix, Amitza Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “Redwood” Essay *1*
Fish, Sonja Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “An Ocean Treatise” Essay *2*
Tiller, Lee Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “The Journey of a Mouse” Essay *3*
Fichte, Oliver & Carvalho, Enzo Carlmont HS “A Decade of Wildfires” News *1*
Fichte, Oliver & Linares, Robin Carlmont HS “Nature’s Role in a Digital World” News *2*
Ramos, Edward Archbishop Riordan HS “Teen Surf Program Shreds Waves on Bay Area Waters” News *3*
2022 FINAL RESULTS, HIGH SCHOOL PH9OTOGRAPHY ENTRIES
Student High School Photo Title Category Rank
Vuong, Tiffany Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “Eat Me, Alice”                                        “Omen”                                                “Red Suns” Fauna/Flora *1*
David, Slade Merrick Novato HS “Sleepy Sea Lion”                                      “Quiet Time”                                           “Decay” Fauna/Flora *2*tie
Hsu, Jamie California Academy of Math and Science “Butterfly Brilliance”                                    “Friyay”                                           “Hmmm…” Fauna/Flora *2*tie
Paxman, Drew Castro Valley HS “A Dying Camilia Rests on a Bush”                                                                                         “A Peach Rose Bathes in Afternoon Sun”                                                  “Droplets of Water on Leaves” Fauna/Flora *3* tie
Rowberry, Kate Granite Bay HS Ungathered Bouquet (3 images) Fauna/Flora *3* tie
Wong, Taylor Novato HS Shady                                                                         Awaiting Spring                                                    Channel Fauna/Flora *3* tie
Fichte, Oliver Carlmont HIS “Essence of California – Palm Trees”                                                        “Essence of California – Portfolio 2”                                                        “Essence of California – Portfolio 3” Scenic *1*
Mi, Jennifer Castro Valley HS  “Japanese Teahouse in Piedmont Park”                                 “Butterfly Effect in Long Beach”                              “Ventures with Sister in Piedmont Park” Scenic *2*
Tsiu Aban, Chris Novato HS “Down Bel Marin Keys”                                “Onlooker”                                             “San Rafael Commute” Scenic *3*tie
Wangui, Brenda Esther Noosim Marin School of the Arts at Novato HS “La vie à l’intérieur – 1”                                                                “La vie à l’intérieur – 2”                                                                   “La vie à l’intérieur – 3” Scenic *3*tie
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