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Students represent college well in competition

A Holland College Photography and Digital Imaging student won the 2006 Student Photographer of the Year award at the Maritime Professional Photographer?s Convention and Print Competition held in New Brunswick recently, the sixth time a student from the program has taken home the award in recent years.

Maggie Facey, a resident of Twillingate, Newfoundland, said that she was excited when she heard her name announced.

"When I began getting my prints together for the competition I really had no expectations of winning anything," the second year student recalled. "When I heard I'd won, I was pretty excited - and happy."

Alex Murchison, instructor for the program, noted that Facey was up against stiff competition from other students for the award. Murchison said that he and the program?s teaching assistant, Jean Sebastien Duschene, encourage students to enter as many professional competitions as they can.

"Our advisory committee had recommended several years ago that the students become more active in the regional organization," he explained. "We think that the process of preparing a portfolio for a competition is invaluable, and the recognition they receive when they win is a great incentive for them."

In addition to the recognition of professional photographers and a cash award, winning the competition automatically entitles Facey to enter the national student competition, while others will have to undergo a qualification process.

"I'm planning to enter in the Nationals, it will be very exciting to see how it does there," said Facey.

The Professional Photographers of Canada National Convention takes place in Halifax in early May. Twenty students from the Photography and Digital Imaging program are hoping to attend and have been fundraising to cover their expenses. Students are booking appointments to take family and pet portraits for $25, including sitting fees and an 8 x 10 portrait.

Facey's wasn't the only Holland College success at the competition. Students Lydia Ross, Oliver Ferns, Shelly Connell and Chris MacIsaac all had prints accepted for consideration; and Holland College Photography and Digital Imaging alumni Tim Pfinder, Laura Ward and Glenn Piercy were finalists for 2006 Photographer of the Year. Pfinder and Piercy also won best of class awards.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Monday, March 20, 2006