West Virginians take all three prizes in 'Re-Imagining Appalachia' photography competition

The University of Kentucky's Appalachian Center has announced the winners of its “Re-Imaging Appalachia” photo contest, created to "give exposure to interesting photographs that challenge the negative stereotypical notions of what it means to be Appalachian," UK says in a press release. All the winners were from West Virginia, the only state considered entirely Appalachian.

First place and a $500 prize went to professional photographer Michele N. Coleman of Parkersburg, W.Va., for her photo of a high-school senior posing on a hillside with her cello. "I think the image portrays several emotions," Coleman said. "One would be that she is rugged yet refined, simple yet elegant."

Second place and $150 and went to Toril Lavender of Huntington, W.Va., for her photo of The Huntington Dance Theatre's presentation of "The Nutcracker Ballet." Lavender’s black-and-white photo, all the rights to which are reserved, initially tied with Coleman’s, requiring an additional vote by the judges. Third place and $100 went to Troy Lilly of Cross Lanes, W.Va., for his photo of waterfalls and a swirling pool in Blackwater Falls State Park.

"The photos were judged based on the quality of composition, subject matter, technical skill, creativity, and theme appropriateness," the release says. "Each photo was ranked by these various qualities on a scale from 1 to 5, by each judge independently. An average of scores determined the rankings." To view the photos and the other 150 entries, click here.