Boys & Girls Clubs of America Announces Winners of National Photography Contest

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with Sony Electronics, announced today the national winners of Boys & Girls Clubs of America ImageMakers National Photography competition during a celebration event at Sony's headquarters in San Diego. Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle earned the top honor of Best in Show with a portrait titled "Zamira".

The ImageMakers National Photography Program and Contest enables Club youth to engage in visual storytelling and develop skills to take impactful photographs. This year-round program encourages Club members to learn and practice black-and-white, color, digital and alternative process photography. With a rich, 50-year history, the Photography Contest is one of the member competitions from Boys & Girls Clubs of America's arts initiative, which invites youth ages 6 to 18 to capture photographs and express their creativity in five categories: culture & tradition, portraits, fashion, surroundings and photo with essay or poem.

"Sony's longstanding partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides an opportunity to connect youth with the tools, digital imaging technology and the creative outlet to express themselves through photography," said Michael Fasulo, president and chief operating officer, Sony Electronics.  "We're invested in cultivating the next generation of creators, and providing youth with the necessary skills to help achieve a successful future."

Studies have shown that participation in the arts is linked to higher academic performance, increased standardized test scores, and lower dropout rates.  Thanks to program sponsors like Sony Electronics, Boys & Girls Clubs are offering quality, affordable arts programming during out-of-school time.

ImageMakers provides innovative and high-quality arts programming that stimulates learning and academic success; inspires creativity; explores future careers; and encourages self-expression, critical thinking and problem solving. As a global leader in image sensors, the heart of photographic technology used in cameras and mobile phones around the world, Sony's national support of ImageMakers enables Club youth to learn the art and science of photography and provides access to the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony. Arts programming helps build design thinking and in turn supports youth's STEM interest, which supports Sony and Boys & Girls Clubs of America's commitment to expanding youth exposure to future technology and possible career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

All ImageMakers winners will receive a Sony Camera package that includes a Sony camera and case. To learn more about the ImageMakers National Photography program, and to view artwork from this year's winners, visit bgca.org/imagemakers.

2018 ImageMakers Winners

Best In Show
Category: Portraits
Title: Zamira
Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle

Judges Choice
Category: Editing & Filter
Title: The Reckless Skeleton
Boys & Girls Clubs of Arlington (TX)

Category: Fashion & Style
Title: Blue Flower
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County (FL)

Category: Portraits
Title: Reflection of My Sister
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor

Category Winners
Fashion & Style
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County (FL)
Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle
Madison Square Boys & Girls Club

Nature and Surroundings
Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley
Madison Square Boys & Girls Club
JB San Antonio-Lackland Youth Program

Portrait
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth
Sigonella Naval Air Station – Sicily, Armed Forces Europe/Mid East

Culture and Traditions
USAG Grafenwoehr CYS Services – Vilseck, Armed Forces Europe/Mid East
Whidbey Island Naval Air Station – Oak Harbor, Washington
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

Editing & Filter
F.E. Warren AFB Youth Program – F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Sarah Heinz House
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.

About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America