After much anticipation, the winner of the Pollinators Committee-sponsored 2023 Photography Contest is… (drum roll, please)… Ava Montaruli ’24 for “The Leaf.”  The fine texture and subtle colors captured in this extreme close-up of a palm frond make the viewer want to reach out and touch it.  The movement implied by the image’s negative space highlights the photosynthetic energy of the plant.

This year’s contest garnered much interest from St. E’s students, who contributed 19 submissions. The judges— Pollinators Committee Moderator Janet Antico, Assistant Principal Lauren Corvo, and Photography Teacher Ellen Denuto— attest that the decision was “difficult” as all the photographs were incredible.

Congratulations to Ava! When interviewed, Ava eagerly declared that she “really love[s] nature” and believes that photography “truly amplifies [its] beauty.” All interested in capturing said beauty are encouraged to participate in the contest next year; the judges and Pollinators Committee executive board alike are rooting for prospective entrants.

The photography contest is just one of many Pollinators Committee activities this school year, from the seed-bomb sale in November to the “Sea of Flowers” garden expansion in May. However, it is the first contest in the club’s short two-year history to involve the whole student body. Those interested in joining the Pollinators Committee are welcome to reach out to the founder and committee chair, Morgan Lomax ’24. She would be happy to field any questions, whether photography or pollinator related.