School photo contest focuses on values

Students at the middle and high schools have a new focus: Values.

Students in grades six through 12 can take a photo they believe captures the essence of a value — like ethics, integrity or kindness — and enter it into a contest which could land them $300 if their photo wins the top spot.

Bob Davis, the assistant principal of the two schools, said a similar photo contest was held at the high school last year, but a theme wasn’t attached. “We didn’t have ‘values,’ it was just a contest, and the kids really got into it.”

The original deadline for the contest was Dec. 17, but due to a low number of entries, Davis said the deadline has been extended until after the new year sometime. An exact date has not been chosen yet.

First place will win a $300 Amazon gift card; second place will win a $200 Amazon gift card; and third place will win a $100 Amazon gift card. There will also be $20 gift cards for local merchants awarded for participation and weekly prizes.

Winners will be displayed on the large TV in the common area of the two schools, and there is discussion over having the winning photos printed on canvas and put on permanent display.

The state Division of Juvenile Justice office in Ketchikan, which covers Wrangell, wrote a grant to secure funds for the prizes, Davis said.