Winning Photos in Michigan Week 2009 Contest on Display at Michigan Library and Historical Center May 16-22

May 14, 2009

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) today announced the winners of the seventh annual Michigan Week Youth Photo Contest, coordinated by HAL and Michigan State University Extension's 4-H Youth Development, with support from the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.

The 12 winning photos, from all regions of the state, depict the photographers' favorite Michigan historic sites. The photos will be on display in the rotunda of the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing during Michigan Week, May 16-22, and will then travel around the state to selected county fairs, libraries, museums, art galleries and other venues.

Sixteen photos also were selected as regional winners. Both the statewide and the regional winners can be seen on the Michigan Week Web page at www.michigan.gov/michiganweek.

The contest, which required that the subject of the photo include a building or object at least 50 years old, is part of the annual Michigan Week celebration. Its 112 entries came from 40 counties representing all regions of the state and both peninsulas, with contestants ranging from ages nine to 19.

Michigan Week 2009 Youth Photo Contest statewide winners are:

• Michelle Bicigo of Marquette, age 19, for East Channel Grand Island Lighthouse (taken in Munising)
• Charity Cardinal of Tawas City, age 17, for Tawas Point Lighthouse (taken in East Tawas)
• Devin Chiodini of Croswell, age 15, for Pioneer Sugar (taken in Croswell)
• Camille Figarra of Ypsilanti, age 14, for Swaine House (taken in Ypsilanti)
• Corinne Figarra of Ypsilanti, age 12, for Ticknor-Campbell House (taken in Ann Arbor)
• Jacob Fortman of Perry, age 16, for Perkins-Copland Log Cabin (taken in Okemos)
• Robert Hayes of Dearborn, age 17, for Henry Ford Museum (taken in Dearborn)
• Aaron Helwig of Lake Leelanau, age 15, for Stiemel Farm Barn (taken in Suttons Bay)
• Connor Hoffman of Marshall, age 11, for Mackinac Bridge (taken in Mackinaw City)
• Dirk Okkema of Blanchard, age 15, for Petite Point au Sable Lighthouse (taken in Mears)
• Christopher Schroen of Jerome, age 14, for Grange Hall on the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds (taken in Hillsdale)
• Lexi Steele of Felch, age 11, for Svenska Lutherska Kyrka (Swedish Lutheran Church) (taken in Felch)

Michigan Week 2009 Youth Photo Contest regional winners (runners-up) are:

• Alyssa Adams of Monroe, age 15, for Navaree -Anderson Trading Post (taken in Monroe)
• Kayleigh Adams of Monroe, age 10, for Paper Mill School (taken in Monroe)
• Michelle Bicigo of Marquette, age 19, for Marquette Harbor Lighthouse (taken in Marquette)
• Kennedy Cogswell of Lakeview, age 11, for Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse (taken in Munising)
• Jessica Craig of Midland, age 16, for Skalnican Homestead (taken in Midland)
• Kendra Durfee of Midland, age 16, for CNC Barn (taken in Midland)
• Gabrielle Flynn of Avoca, age 9, for Grand Trunk Western Railroad Depot (taken in Port Huron)
• Austin A. Hall of Gaylord, age 16, for Forty Mile Point Lighthouse (taken in Rogers City)
• Matthew Havelka of Wallace, age 11, for Fort St. Philippe de Michilimackinac (taken in Mackinaw City)
• Chelsea Hawver of Union City, age 18, for Rawson's King Mill (taken in Leonidas)
• Aaron Helwig of Lake Leelanau, age 15, for Lawrence Skeba's Barn (taken in Lake Leelanau)
• Alexis Hott of Wayland, age 14, for Fayette Historic Townsite (taken in Garden)
• Kayla Kosiboski of Manistee, age 11, for Arindale School (taken in Manistee)
• Carolyn McLean of Ann Arbor, age 17, for Wellers Carriage House (taken in Saline)
• Hannah Smith of Parma, age 9, for Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse (taken in Mackinaw City)
• Elaina Thomas of Lincoln, age 11, for Gallagher Farm (taken in Lincoln)

Communities around the state celebrate Michigan Week with a variety of activities. For "how to celebrate" ideas, resources for learning about and exploring Michigan, and more, visit www.michigan.gov/michiganweek.

Michigan 4-H Youth Development is part of the Children, Youth, Families and Communities Programs of Michigan State University Extension and has programs in all Michigan counties. To learn more, visit http://web1.msue.msu.edu/4h.

Michigan Week is a program of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity, the department includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Historical Center. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).