Outdoor Writers Association of California proudly honors winners of its 2026 Pat Vachini Writing & Photography Contest.
Sharlene Goduco of Castro Valley High School won first place in the writing category with her story about Yellowstone National Park.
“The imagery is beautiful and transports the reader into the scene. Clear observation with excellent writing,” noted a judge.
Winning certificates of merit were Rachel Zhen of Castro Valley High School and Kate Barnes of Sacramento Country Day School.
Bella Puangchan of Paloma Valley High School won first place in photography for her image of a butterfly.
“Fantastic sharp photo with great depth of field, good example of macro photography. Colors are vibrant. Great job!” praised a judge.
Certificates of merit went to Joshua Cohen of Menlo Atherton High School and Diana Haus of Sacramento Country Day School.
Emme Garlinghouse of Sacred Heart Preparatory won the poetry competition with her submission, “Where Did all the Purple Girls Go?”
“Very mysterious, drew me in. I love the cadence and the visualization. I understood the ‘purple girl’ to be someone who lives outside the lines of conformity,” wrote a judge.
Winning certificates of merit were Mira Snider and Kass Lott, both of Novato High School.
Founded in 1986, OWAC helps outdoor media professionals inform outdoor enthusiasts, expand awareness of conservation issues, and create a new generation of outdoor-media content creators.
OWAC established the Pat Vachini Outdoor Writing and Photography Contest in memory of the wife of Don Vachini, longtime OWAC member and one of California’s foremost outdoor writers and photographers. More than 50 students from across the state participated in the contest.
