Friends Writing, Art, and Photo Contest
The Friends of Schmeeckle hold an annual Writing, Art and Photo Contest. Visitors to Schmeeckle Reserve who are inspired to take photos, create art, or write about the natural area are invited to submit their work in the contest. The Friends hosts the contest to raise awareness of the Reserve and the Friends group, which supports the natural area. Winners are honored at an opening reception each year.
2025 Arts Contest
The Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve is pleased to announce winners of the twelfth annual Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Writing, Art, and Photo Contest soon. Thank you to all who entered!
Winning Entries
Artwork (Grades 7-12): First place tie, Tessa Bruckhart and Quinn Cychosz.
Artwork (Adult): First place, Alyssa Shurbert-Hetzel; second place tie, Ace Lee and Cate Thomding.
Digital Art: First place, Rae Henneman; second place, Marek Martinson; honorable mention, Scott Adamski, Tessa Bruckhart, and Katelyn Steidl.
Photography (Landscape – Beginner): First place, Julie Marie; second place, Mary Elliott; third place, Alex Mentele; honorable mention, Azalea Hanson.
Photography (Landscape – Intermediate/Advanced): First place, Marna Andre; second place, Erik Osby; third place, Mason Becker.
Photography (Wildlife – Beginner): First place, Samantha Nadig; second place, Maia Chiarino; third place, Richard DeWeese.
Photography (Wildlife – Intermediate/Advanced): First place, Eric Maddock; second place, Scott Adamski; third place, Shannon Kearney; honorable mention, Steve Faber, David Forsythe, Rae Henneman, Kristina Lapp, Sam O’Shasky, and Jessica Tomaszewski.
Photography (Other – Beginner): First place, Tessa Bruckhart.
Writing (Adult): First place, Oliver Tipton; second place, Emily Koniar; third place, Asher Schroeder; honorable mention, Michael Houlihan, Muhammad Kuku, Ryleigh Miller, and Taylor Shurtleff.
Display Information
Later this spring, all entries from the 2025 contest will be displayed at the Portage County Public Library. More details to come.
Arts Contest Submissions and Winners
Click below to view photo, art, and writing submissions from current and previous years.