Winner of the Photo Essay Contest, Kristy Kendall

Pure pic

Kristy Kendall, SHSU senior and cheerleader took first place in GCJD’s photo essay contest.

More than three dozen students entered the contest, but judges unanimously ranked Kristy’s photo “Pure” as the best. As a result, she won a GoPro camera and dinner with esteemed photojournalist Zoriah Miller.

Contestants were asked to submit a photo that told a story. Each entry was displayed in the LSC art gallery. The pictures were judged by Dr. Jean Bodon, chair of Mass Communication, Michael Henderson , chair of the Art Dept. , John Smither, GCJD supporter and Huntsville resident, and Zoriah Miller.

Kristy says her photo was inspired by her boyfriend’s trip to Africa. “In one of the African tribes it was completely normal to hold hands with anyone and everyone. He told me about how the people would just walk up beside him and hold his hand. Of course at first he felt a little uncomfortable, but as he learned their culture he began to understand. I thought that this was such a beautiful thing and ran with it.”

Kristy’s photo shows a black and white hand intertwined. “ It just means a lot to me, because of our world today and all of the racism issues. I named it pure because I asked my boyfriend how he would describe the African people. “Pure” is the word that spoke to him “, she said.

“I have always loved capturing original pictures”, Kristy continues. “ I love getting different angles and point of views that most people do not see.”

She was excited to win the GoPro and hopes to put it to good use. “I am a cheerleader for Sam Houston so I think I could get some awesome footage with the GoPro that I won. I have always shot and edited videos of my life since was in high school and this will be a new, fun, and exciting way to do just that.”

kirsty and zoriahKristy was also thrilled to spend time with Zoriah Miller. “Meeting Zoriah was a very inspiring experience. He made it so big by starting off with so little and now he is making a living doing exactly what he’s passionate about.”

Kristy’s photo can be seen hanging on the walls of the Global Center headquarters in the Dan Rather Communications building.  


Global Center for Journalism and Democracy
Dan Rather Communications Building, Room 201, Huntsville, TX 77340