This is the final week of the Kane County Regional Office of Education‘s 2015 Student Photo Contest. Congrats to all the students that were featured in the top 10, and thank you to everyone who submitted photos for consideration.

Ten area high schools submitted a total of 402 photos to this year’s contest. This effort to highlight the arts in schools wouldn’t be possible without time and coordination from our highly-skilled teachers.

The ROE will host a photo exhibition, open to the public, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Water Street Studios to honor the photography students and teachers. There will be trophies created by Image Awards, holiday music provided by the Batavia High School string trio, delicious appetizers from Enticing Cuisine and lovely matted photography from our students.

The top featured photos will not only be honored with trophies from Regional Superintendent Patricia Dal Santo, but Executive Director Danielle Hollis from Water Street Studios announced today an additional award.

“To recognize the students’ achievements, we will award all nine students with individual one year memberships,” said Hollis. “They will receive invitations to gallery openings, exclusive members-only events, and discounts to all our amazing classes.”

Have questions about the event? Contact Ellen Kamps from the Regional Office of Education.

The Top 10 Photos for Week 9

1. “Girl and a Rooster” — Isabel Feldhaus

• Aurora Central Catholic High School
• Freshman
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Samantha Wascher

2. “Details” — Will MacCarthy

• St. Charles East High School
• Junior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Nathan Shackelford

3. “Morning Alarm” — Claire Sebastian

• St. Charles North High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Karissa Schulten

4. “Holiest” — Therese Niedbala

• Geneva Community High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Danica Fahmy

5. “Dawning” — Olivia Leonardi

• West Aurora High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Jenna Goeringer

6. “Above the Rest” — Carolina Rincon

• Aurora Central Catholic High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Samantha Wascher

7. “Mom” — Kat Harshbarger

• St. Charles North High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Karissa Schulten

8. “Hand, Window, Wings” — Will MacCarthy

• St. Charles East High School
• Junior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Nathan Shackelford

9. “Vintage” — Amie Tasche

• Hampshire High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Ashley Joustra

10. “In the Smokies” — Eileen Burke

• Geneva Community High School
• Senior
• Digital Photography
• Instructor: Danica Fahmy

Would you like to participate in the Kane County Student Photo Contest? All public and private high schoolers are welcome to participate! Please have your art or photography teacher contact Ellen Kamps at the Regional Office of Education for more information. The top 10 photos are posted for the next nine weeks, every Wednesday morning on Kane County Connects. All the featured #1 photos will be used to decorate the Kane County Regional Office of Education.

Want to catch up on the previous week’s featured photos?

• Photo Contest Week 1: St. Charles North’s Photography is on Fire
• Photo Contest Week 2: Geneva High School Dances to the Top
• Photo Contest Week 3: Batavia Maintains a Sharp Focus
• Photo Contest Week 4: St. Charles East Scores a Victory
• High School Photo Contest Bonus Edition: Fall Foliage and Spooky Fun
• Photo Contest Week 5: Aurora Central Catholic Pencils in a Win
• Photo Contest Week 6: Let’s Play Ball!
• Photo Contest Week 7: I Spy With My Little Eye, Something..West Aurora
• Photo Contest Week 8: West Aurora Captures the Fall Season

About the Kane County Regional Office of Education

Led by Regional Superintendent of Schools Patricia Dal Santo, The Kane County ROE is located in Geneva  and serves nine school districts. From teacher license assistance to professional development, the ROE’s mission is to advocate for education, provide leadership and perform regulatory functions. Learn more about the ROE’s offerings onFacebook, Twitter and by signing up for the semimonthly newsletter.