The first Brock News photo contest drew dozens of fantastic photos from Brock faculty, staff and students having fun on their summer vacations.

Christine Rougoor at the top of an icefield on the Athabasca Glacier. "I was one of the first to be there in a wheelchair and I also happened to be wearing my Brock sweater." See her winning photo below.

The photos submitted for the What I Did On My Summer Vacation photo contest showed African safaris and relaxation at northern cottages. The guest judge was Julie Jocsak, an award-winning photographer with the St. Catharines Standard.

The first place winner is Christine Rougoor, a concurrent education student with a unique story. Nearly two years ago, she was partially paralyzed in a motocross accident. She has since returned to school, and this summer, she was finally able to start traveling again. Her travels took her from the Athabasca Glacier in the Rocky Mountains to the Santa Monica Pier in California.

“I had experiences that I thought would never be possible now that I am in a wheelchair,” she said.

Many thanks to the contest sponsors, the Campus Store and the Guernsey Market, who generously provided the prizes.

Stay tuned to The Brock News for future photo contests. You can also subscribe to The Brock News via email.

First place:

Christine Rougoor’s photo was taken with an underwater camera. It depicts her friend’s cousin as they all enjoyed a day at the pool.
Judge’s comment: “I love the colours, the look on the girl’s face, the water in the goggles. It’s an interesting photo from an unusual perspective.”

Second place:

Sonia Szubelak, third-year student, General Science
Szubelak visited Florida this summer and enjoyed it “not only from the typical Disney-driven perspective, but I also gained much appreciation for the luscious jungles of Florida that are typically overlooked by most tourists.” The photo was taken while tubing down a giant water slide at the Aquatica Water Park. “Very hot day! Sunburns all around even with the constant application of SPF 50 sunblock.”
Judge’s comment: Szubelak’s photo, Jocsak said, is “fun and different.”

Honourable mentions:

Ken Tang, second-year student, Geography
Tang’s summer travels included the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio and Fenway Park in Boston. “I’ve always wanted to go to Fenway Park and sit at the Green Monster, and I did!” he said. “When I wasn’t away, I was out and riding around Southern Ontario enjoying an amazingly dry and sunny summer this year.” One of those rides resulted in this photo.
Judge’s comment: “It’s a hold-the-camera-out-in-front-of-you-and-shoot photo that worked really well.”

Jenny-Lind Poulin, second-year student, Concurrent Education
Poulin’s caption for this photo: “Watched fireworks at Disney’s Epcot and met Mickey for the first time.”
Judge’s comment: “Fireworks can be tricky to shoot and the photographer did a good job on this. The street lamp worked well in the photo too.”

Jennifer Smith, student, Community Health
Her caption: “Quintessential Venice, Italy — June 2010”
Judge’s comment: “I chose this one because it’s well composed and has a nice mood to it.”