Student winners named in annual refuge contest
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) recently announced the winners and finalists in the 12th annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel.
Sponsored by the Theodore Cross family, the competition invites high school students from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties to compete for prizes, including $1,000 cash for first place, gift cards and one-year passes to the refuge.
The late Cross, who lived part-time on Sanibel, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; advised the Johnson and Nixon administrations on anti-poverty programs; wrote the book “Black Capitalism,” among others; and created Birders United, a birding Web site that ranked legislators according to their record of bird protection support.
Late in life, Cross decided to indulge his love for birds and photography and traveled the world to collect stunning portraits and stories to chronicle his adventures. He photographed often at the refuge, and a number of the images in his book reflect his love for it. Cross published “Waterbirds: Portraits and Anecdotes from Birding Adventures” in 2009 at age 85; he passed away shortly after in 2010. His family established the contest in his memory in 2013.
Refuge volunteer and artist Vince Thomalla and DDWS Board Member Jo Smith judged this year’s contest. They reviewed 258 images taken by students from 11 schools and selected three top winners and six honorable mentions.
First place went to an image titled “Nature’s Enduring Spirit” by Emmanuel Roman, a 10th grader at Lehigh Senior High School. In his written explanation of the photo, he said: “Looking at the tiny sprout, cradled by numerous stones, a great sense of awe came over me. A surge of hope overwhelmed me as seeing such a delicate lifeform growing and fighting against the odds.”
In second place, Naples High School 10th grader Parker Guth named his portrait “Silence Has Teeth.” Thalia Mesa Lima, a 12th grader at Gateway High School, took third place with “Stillness by the Shorelines.”
The honorable mention winners are as follows in alphabetical order:
– Jaylah Amaya, 11th grader at Gateway High School, “The Perched Observer”
– Oscar Arroyo, 11th grader at Cypress Lake High School, “Proud Green Heron”
– Keannha Lane, 11th grader at Cypress Lake High School, “Self Reflection”
– Josalyn Padilla, ninth grader at Lehigh Senior High School, “A Peaceful Path”
– Kaiden Thompson, 11th grader at Aubrey Rogers High School, “The Fisher”
– Eary Warren, 12th grader at Ida S. Baker High School, “Beauty in the Common”
DDWS Program Coordinator Claire Keeley and intern Kyra Sadat Ruben coordinated the contest.
“Every photograph offers a unique glimpse into how each student sees the world, revealing not just their perspective, but their personal connection to the natural environment. From capturing the story of resilience to highlighting the beauty of a favorite animal, this photo contest allows students the ability to showcase their relationship with our natural world,” Keeley said. “It is such a joy to see the passion and creativity that goes into each entry.”
“Theodore Cross’ family made this contest possible, and it has become a solid success story,” DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled the family wants its donations used in this way — to reach an age group that often falls through the cracks of conservation education. Thanks to the ‘Ding’ staff, high school teachers and judges who made this all happen.”
To view the winning images and for more information about the 2027 contest, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/photo-contests.