Glacier Peak grad finishes 2nd in student photography contest

Published 1:30 am Saturday, June 30, 2018

Alex Ropka, a 2018 graduate of Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, finished in second place in the Student Photographer of the Year Scholarship contest sponsored by the Professional Photographers of Washington. The scholarship went to a Yakima teen.

Ropka’s portfolio featured striking scenes from nature.

“Nature can be finicky sometimes, which can be fun,” Ropka said. “I like a challenge, which is always fun with the nature photos.”

Glacier Peak classmates Annamarie Romo and Kylie Johnston also finished in the top 10.

“It’s great to see young people get the training at their high school level and then proceed further with training,” said Anita Weston, chairwoman for the scholarship committee.

Several Glacier Peak students also fared well in the Washington State High School Photography Competition. Cooper Walker placed sixth overall. Asher Gannon and Shelby Northen each had one of the top 18 images to become finalists in their category. Johnston had two photographs awarded a select designation as being in the top 10 percent of the nearly 4,000 entries from students across the state. Kyle Basrak, Christina Bayouk and Mary Claire Kendall also received select distinction.

See Ropka’s contest portfolio online at fowlerportraits.com/PPW2018.