Oakville Senior Takes Best in Show at Photo Competition

senior Katelynn Armstrong captured a tiny plant growing on a piece of glass after a on May 22, 2011, leaving more than 130 dead and 8,000 buildings destroyed.

Armstrong was on her second volunteer trip to help rebuild the city when she spotted an opportunity to depict her work through a photo.

“I was out picking up debris and collecting pieces of glass to bring back for an art piece,” Armstrong said in a district release. “One of the people found this piece of glass and brought it to me. We were amazed to find a little plant fighting to live on this piece of glass. I couldn't believe that a plant could grow like this. It made me think about Joplin and how basically everything was destroyed, but in the face of that, the people are still strong and they will continue to fight for ‘new life’ just like this little plant.”

Called “New Life,” the photo won Best in Show at the Olivette Photo Show, hosted by the Olivette Community Center. Armstrong earned the top honor out of 144 entries.

Fellow senior Megan McQuitty earned an Honorable Mention in the color category for her photo, “Jellyfish.” She took the photo of an aquarium tank while on vacation.

The two seniors are students of Oakville High School photography instructor Joan Larson. Larson attended an awards ceremony with Armstrong and McQuitty Tuesday in Olivette.