Keiki to Career Kauai and Kauai Planning & Action Alliance are launching a digital photography challenge for students in grades six to 12 beginning Monday. The contest, “Through the Eyes of Kauai Youth,”challenges students to take digital photos that express
Keiki to Career Kauai and Kauai Planning & Action Alliance are launching a digital photography challenge for students in grades six to 12 beginning Monday.
The contest, “Through the Eyes of Kauai Youth,”challenges students to take digital photos that express their response to one of these questions: What do you want to see more of on Kauai? What do you want to see less of on Kauai?
The photos can target an unlimited range of issues young people find important, such as ohana, the environment, education, local agriculture, social conditions, hobbies, sports and humor.
“Photography is an easy yet meaningful way for students to express themselves” said Marion Paul, Keiki to Career coordinator. “We are excited to find out more about what our young people are experiencing on island today.”
Keiki to Career Kauai (K2C) is a new movement for youth. K2C’s mission is to unite the community so young people are ready to learn and ready for life. More than 35 community partners are working together and leveraging resources to improve educational opportunities and increase community support for students.
K2C uses data to guide its actions, measuring key indicators of a child’s success, such as reading well at grade three, high school graduation rates, and successful transition into college or career.
What makes the photo challenge unique is that the exhibition will be used to spark community dialogues across the island, revolving around issues that youth identify in their photos. By understanding Kauai’s youth perspectives, Keiki to Career strategies can be more effective.
“Keiki to Career looks at how our schools and communities fit together to support our young people” said Tad Miura, co-chairman of K2C. “We look at what’s working well, and we look for any gaps and work together to fill them. The photo challenge dialogues will be a great way to hear directly from Kauai’s youth.”
Prizes will be awarded to the top three photos in two divisions (grades 6-8 and grades 9-12).
Prizes include cash awards, a photo safari with professional photographer Denis Orme, and gift certificates to local merchants. In addition, the top 50 photos will showcased at an exhibit at Kauai Community College.
Free workshops with professional Kauai photographers will be held to help students learn about composition, basic technical elements such as lighting and how to tell a story with a photograph. Workshops are scheduled:
w 9:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at Kauai Mini Golf and Botanical Garden, Kilauea, led by Mike Coots.
w 10 to noon, Aug. 22, Hanapepe Public Library, led by Serge Marcil.
w 3:30 to 5 p.m., Aug. 22, Seductions of Kauai Gallery, Kauai Marriott Resort, Lihue, led by Denis Orme.
To register for the workshops, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YouthPhotoWorkshop
For more detailed information on the photo challenge, including contest rules, visit www.kauaiphotochallenge.org
