Now in its eighth year, the 2012 Faces of Evanston Photography and Video Contest, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, highlighted the efforts of four ETHS students. Two ETHS students were announced as contest winners on October 27, and two other ETHS students were recognized for their service as student interns.

ETHS freshman Michael Werner received 2^nd place in the video contest for “Simple Sunrise.” ETHS senior Harris Parkes received an honorable mention in the photo contest for his photo “Untitled.” Winning photos will be displayed at various Evanston locations through August 2013. To view all the photographs, go to the Faces of Evanston’s Facebook page or www.facesofevanston.com.

Two interns from ETHS also worked throughout the summer to increase contest participation and awareness through the website and social media. Thanks to funding from the City of Evanston, First Bank & Trust and the Kiwanis Foundation, ETHS junior Zena Grant-Sosa was able to work as the social media manager and ETHS senior Tyler Kenzek was the creative lead. The contest drew a record number of entries with more than 200 adults and teens working to capture images of Evanston that related to this year’s theme “simplicity.”

Dr. Stamata Blanas, an Evanston dentist and founder of the contest, selects the theme each year. When the 2012 theme was announced, she stated, “It encompasses the energy and the spirit behind the community and looking at the true essence of what makes this community special. It’s basically focusing on the simplest actions that we overlook each and every day. It’s the energy and simplicity that makes things so special.”

The Faces of Evanston contest engages the arts and embraces creative diversity in the city, providing a platform for photographers and videographers to capture the images of this community and help others view Evanston through their eyes.  

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, visitwww.evanstonkiwanis.org.