LIBERTY – Allison Vasko led Liberty at the Scholastic Art Competition with seven Gold and five Silver Keys and four Honorable Mentions. “To me, photography is more than just a camera. It’s about capturing moments that last a lifetime. Turning fleeting experiences into sentimental memories is what I love most,” Allison said. “Being recognized for my photos feels like an important milestone in my photography journey, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.”

The Mid-Hudson Regional division reaches far into Poughkeepsie and parts of Westchester as well as Sullivan and Ulster counties. Works that earn Gold Keys are in the top 5% of works judged. Silver Keys are in the top 10%. Honorable Mentions are in the top 11% or 12%. Gold key winners will be adjudicated again for possible participation in the national competition.

Other Liberty students earning honors:

• Sebastian Yupanqui with two Gold and five Silver Keys and three Honorable Mentions
• Lucio Ponce Vazquez with one Gold and four Silver Keys and three Honorable Mentions
• Carlos Cruz Garzon with one Gold and two Silver Keys and one Honorable Mention
• Misael Juarez Perez with one Gold and one Silver Key and four Honorable Mentions
• Kourtney Perry with one Gold and one Silver Key
• Cassandra Porter with one Gold Key
• Giuliana Wagner with three Silver Keys and two Honorable Mentions
• Emma Stonick with one Silver Key and five Honorable Mentions
• Evelyn Molina Ax with one Silver Key and two Honorable Mentions
• Kelsey Hopkins with three Honorable Mentions
• Valeria Cruz with one Honorable Mention

The ceremony for the Key winners, open to all, will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at SUNY New Paltz followed by the opening of the show with refreshments. The exhibit will be open through early March in the Fine Arts Building Rotunda. The snow date will be Feb. 7. Many of the students earning Scholastic Honors also have work featured in “It’s Time …,” a photography show at the Liberty Library that runs through March.