Southwest senior captures national recognition for yearbook photos

July 6, 2023

A Lincoln Southwest High School senior was recognized on a national level for her photography skills in the 2023 Walsworth Photo Contest.

Lincoln Southwest senior Emma DeShon was selected as the winner in the “Clubs and Student Life” category for a photo she took during freshmen orientation day at Southwest. DeShon is the first student from Southwest to win first place in the contest, and was the only winner selected from Nebraska this year. DeShon says the photo captured a moment of authentic joy. 

“At the end of the school day, all the freshmen met in the auditorium with a guest speaker and the guest speaker started playing ‘Sweet Caroline’ through the speakers,” DeShon said. “All of a sudden, all the kids started turning their flashlights on their phones on and swaying them side to side to the beat and they all were singing along. I just turned my camera to the audience and took advantage of that exciting moment.”

The annual contest receives submissions from high school yearbook students across the country. A winner is named in each of the ten categories, and receives a certificate and cash prize, along with having their photo featured on the Walsworth Yearbooks website.  Submitted photos are also selected for honorable mention recognition. 

Not only did DeShon win top prize for one of her photos, but another photo she submitted was selected for honorable mention in the "Performing Arts" category.  The photo was taken during Lincoln Southwest theatre’s performance of “White Christmas”, and DeShon says photographing performances is one of her favorite subjects to capture.

“I went to every musical and play we had this year because I love taking photos of them,” DeShon said. “The leads were doing a dance and they ended up standing on stage right in front of me, and when he dipped her I took photos of it and loved the way they turned out.”

Brandi Benson, journalism teacher at Lincoln Southwest and staff adviser for the Talon yearbook, says she encourages students to submit photos to the Walsworth Photo Contest every year to showcase the amazing work they do. 

“Journalists are often our unsung heroes of school publications,” Benson said. “They cover the games, concerts, class projects, etc., but they are not often the focus of stories. Opportunities like the Walsworth Photo Contest allow students a chance to shine.”

As for DeShon’s two photos being selected for recognition, Benson says this achievement is a testament to DeShon’s talent and drive.

“For someone like Emma, who is an exceptional photographer, this gives her a chance to have her work highlighted at the national level,” Benson said. “She is such a hardworking individual, and this is such a well-deserved award.”

Greg Adams, Southwest’s yearbook representative at Walsworth Yearbooks, also expressed what an accomplishment it is for DeShon’s photos to be chosen.

“I was so excited to see Emma’s entry in the Walsworth Photo Contest chosen as the grand prize winner,” Adams said. “I know with thousands of entries, to be selected as the best of the best is a rare accomplishment. Well done, Emma!”

For DeShon, who has been a part of the Talon yearbook staff since her sophomore year, winning this contest was the cherry on top of her senior year. 

“Those two photos were my favorite I took all year,” DeShon said. “I was so unbelievably proud of myself because it felt like all the hard work I had put into my photos the last few years had paid off.”

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