‘Our School, Our Future’ Photo Essay Contest For Students Announced

MIDDLEBURY — “Our School, Our Future” is the theme of a 2008 student photo essay contest sponsored by Quassy Amusement Park and Olympus Imagining America Inc.

Divisions have been established for aspiring shutterbugs in elementary, middle and high schools.

“Students have the opportunity to express through pictures what makes their school special,” said George Frantzis II, a co-owner of Quassy Amusement Park. “Youngsters can tap into their creativity and present a completed project reflective of the spirit and enthusiasm that exists in their respective schools.”

  Photo essays may be taken by a team of students or an individual. There is no fee to enter the contest.

The official rules are as follows: all photos must be taken by students; essays must demonstrate, through the use of photography, the role the individual school plays in shaping the lives of its students; essays must consist of eight to 12 photos measuring either 4 by 6 inches or 5 by 7 inches mounted on a single piece of poster board, and the prints should all be in color; a completed entry form signed by a faculty member or administrator must be attached to the back of each essay; and the deadline for entries is May 10, 2008, with winners announced June 1, 2008. Results of the judges will be final.

Entries will be judged on composition, imagination, creativity and the ability to tell a story through photos. Judges for the competition will be Debra Aleksinas, features editor at The Republican-American newspaper, and Ron Gustafson, Quassy photographer.

Photo essays may be dropped off at the Quassy Amusement Park office, on Route 64 in Middlebury, or mailed to “Our School, Our Future” Essay Contest, Quassy Amusement Park, PO Box 1107, Middlebury CT 06762. Mailed entries must be received by the May 10 deadline.

Official entry forms are available by sending e-mail to Ron@Quassy.com or by visiting Quassy.com. Click on the Press Room icon and open the Photo Essay Form file.

Digital cameras, provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc., will be awarded to the first place winners in each division. If the winning entry is submitted by a team of students, the camera awarded as the prize will become the property of the winning school. If the winning entry is submitted by an individual student, the camera awarded as the prize will become the property of the individual student.

Second and third place certificates will be presented by Quassy Amusement Park during the official awards ceremony Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the park. Winning students and their faculty members and administrators will be invited to attend the awards event.

The winning essays will be displayed at the park the week following the awards ceremony. Schools may claim their essays following the display period and any unclaimed essays will become the property of Quassy Amusement Park.

The contest is one of a number of special events being offered this year as Quassy Amusement Park celebrates “100 Years Of Fun” in 2008 as the park marks its centennial. The park features more than two-dozen rides and attractions, a beach, “Saturation Station” interactive water play area, redemption arcade, restaurant and entertainment.

For more about the park and its educational programs visit its website or call 1-800-FOR-PARK.