Webster County Photo Competition: winners announced

Presenting the $100 prize for winning the competition were the Webster County Commissioners. Pictured left to right: Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker, Hunter Cantrell, Presiding Commissioner Paul Ipock, and Southern Commissioner Randy Owens.

Pictured left to right: Northern Commissioner Dale Fraker, Southern Commissioner Randy Owens, Sarah King, and Presiding Commissioner Paul Ipock. Contributed Photos

Congratulations to Hunter Cantrell for winning the Public Entry category of the Webster County Photo Contest.

Congratulations to Sarah King for her photo being selected as the winner from the Employee Entry category of the Webster County Photo Contest.

Posted Tuesday, November 8, 2022 4:14 am

The Webster County Clerk’s office looked to stir a little fun and friendly competition in Webster County with its first ever photo competition. The Clerk’s office, which includes Stan Whitehurst, Missy Pickel, Dee Lavery, and Sarah King encouraged both citizens and county employees to enter a photo they felt represented Webster County.

The response was better than the County Clerk's office expected.

"It was the first (contest) and we think it's something we will do again," Whitehurst shared. "We had 52 entries from the public and 29 from employees."

"It was fun to see all the photos, it really was," Lavery added.

Photos submitted included picturesque landscapes, farms, wildlife, and citizens enjoying day-to-day activities.

Winners were selected by a panel of non-county employees which included: Judge Chuck Replogle, Judge David Tunnell, and Katie Patterson, a juvenile officer.

The public photograph winner was Niangua High School Senior Hunter Cantrell for his drone photograph of the City of Niangua.

Cantrell further explained the motivation behind his photo.

"The photo I took was inspired by my care for trying to improve Niangua. I like to try and make it more public so people see that it isn’t as bad as it seems and this was a great opportunity to do so."

Cantrell's high school media class received a grant to purchase a drone, which he was able to use to take the photograph.

"To win this contest was very rewarding to me. I am thankful for Mrs.Callaway and her helping me get entered into the contest itself. Without her getting the grant for the drone, I never would have been able to accomplish this."

The county employee winner was Sarah King. King documented a rodeo photo sporting the red, white, and blue waving above bucking chutes.

"We go to rodeos all the time. When the flags are flying it really catches your eyes," shared King on her inspiration. "That's what inspired it: the wind was blowing. The flags were really flying and really pretty that day."

Little did King know that the photo she snapped would win her the county employee category.

"I was shocked, but I was happy. I thought it was great that they did this (competition) and gave us this opportunity. It's pretty cool."

To view all photos submitted, visit the "Webster County" Facebook page.