Photographs from Abroad Capture Prizes, Domestic Attention

Author: Alison Damick

During the week of Nov. 10, a colorful assortment of 8"x10" photos dominated the stage in the Juice Bar. These photos, part of the fifth annual Middlebury College Study Abroad photo contest, depicted images varying from sweeping sunset vistas to a young boy casually holding a cigarette to the glassy eyes of a herd of hippos peeking above a river.
Middlebury students who were abroad any time during the 2001-2002 school year were allowed to submit up to three photos for the contest. The Office for Off-Campus Study then narrowed down the field from over 150 entries to the 30 enlarged photographs displayed in The Juice Bar. "We were amazed by the quality of the photographs submitted," commented Laurie Mossler, coordinator of Off-Campus Study, "and deciding on the finalists was not easy."
Judging for the final 30 photos was opened to all students, faculty and staff on Thursday, Nov. 14, and the results were announced the following day. The prize list for the competition was impressive, topped by the grand prize of a $150 travel voucher from Milne Travel. This was awarded to Minie Choi '03 for her photo "Debating Monks." Second prize, a brunch for two at Tully & Marie's, was awarded to Daniela Salaverry '03 for her "Bubble Gum Girls of Tanggula." All the prizes were donated by local businesses, as has traditionally been the case for this event.
The Office of Study-Abroad was very pleased with the success of this year's contest. Said Mossler, "The photo contest is a terrific way for students to share at least a small part of their study abroad experiences with the larger campus community, and we are grateful to all of the students who submitted, and to the large number of people who came out to vote." Comparable competition is hoped for and expected next year, so for all students going abroad, keep those cameras ready!