Awards & Exhibits

2003 - 2004

• A photographic-essay winter exhibit was held at the Mesa Public Library, which featured the work of Stapley's Introduction to Photography students.  The exhibit was named "One of the Top 10 Things to Do" by the Mesa Tribune Newspaper.  The exhibit comprised essays about friendship, while the photographs symbolized the meaning of friendship. More than 100 black and white photos, including hand colored photos, were on public display for two weeks. 
• Stapley's General Photography students competed for the first time at the Mesa District Competition Young at Art.  The competition was open to all participating Fine Arts students in junior and senior high.  The public exhibit ran for two weeks in the lobby of the Bank of America building in Mesa.
• The Arizona Republic Newspaper boasted of Stapley's achievements in a printed article stating, "Stapley swept the District's Young at Art Competition with nine ribbons for outstanding photography."   
• The Mesa Tribune Newspaper printed a story about two of Stapley's General Photography students, Cameron Bean and Joseph Kjar.  Their individual work attracted several interested buyers.  After the story was printed two other students, Kelli Reece and Kelly Williams, also sold their work to admiring buyers. 
• Following the exhibit, all competition work was displayed in the new lobby of Mr. Lambright's architectural firm in Tempe.
• All of the photography student's work from the entire year were on public display at the annual Spring Photo Show in May.  The theme for the show was "Surfs Up!"  Over 200 parents and students attended this special evening exhibit.  A special thank you to our supportive Booster Club, who supplied our delicious refreshments!

2004 - 2005

• The second annual winter photographic-essay exhibit was held at the Mesa Red Mountain Multi-generational Center.  It featured over 125 photographs and essays based on the theme of "Friendship" produced by Stapley's Introductory Photography students. 
• The Mesa Tribune Newspaper featured this exhibit in an article entitled, "Photography students capture face of friendship."
• The Arizona Republic Newspaper honored the winter exhibit in an article entitled, "Some of Mesa's Best."  The newspaper also published several of Stapley's photographic work in the East Valley Educational section and on their website.
• Stapley's General Photography students competed for their second time in the City of Mesa Youthfest fine arts competition.  This competition was exclusively for senior high (9th through 12th grade) art/photography students. The judges awarded Carter Raines a third place ribbon and a cash prize for  his experimental digital piece entitled "Unity."  This was a monumental occasion, mainly because Stapley was the ONLY junior high school to place in the top three out of the entire photography competition.
• The judges at the Mesa District Young at Art competition honored Stapley with 12 ribbons and the "Best in Show" plaque.  The exhibit ran for two weeks in the lobby of the Bank of America building in Mesa. 
• All of the photography student's work from the entire year were on public display at the annual Spring Photo Show in May.  The theme for the show was "Hollywood."  The exhibit was open early to the entire school to vote on their favorite photograph.  The "Student Choice" award recipients were given ribbons and cash prizes.  Over 425 photographs were displayed at the show!  Again, a special thank you to our supportive Booster Club who supplied our delicious refreshments!  Also, a big THANK YOU to Freemont JHS and Westwood HS for supplying us with the display boards.         

  2005 - 2006

• Congratz to David Baugh and Michael Dahlk for placing in the City of Mesa's MLK Celebration Competition.  David placed 3rd, awarding him $50.00, for his photographic piece "Torn Countries United."  Michael received an Honorable Mention, awarding him a medal for his photographic piece "Together."  Students had to answer the question, "How can they promote  peace" in an artistic form.    
• The third annual winter photographic-essay exhibit was held at the Mesa Red Mountain Multi-generational Center.  It featured over 125 photographs and essays based on the theme "Symbols of Friendship" produced by Stapley's Introductory Photography students. 
• The judges at the Mesa District Young at Art competition honored Stapley with 7 ribbons and the "Best in Show" plaque.  Stapley swept the Digital category, taking all four places:  Jenna Bliven - 1st, Jarrett Bunnin - 2nd, Alexandra Gibbs - 3rd, and Michael Dahlk - Honorable Mention.  For  the Experimental category:  David Baugh - 1st and Alexandra Gibbs - 1st.  For the Black & White category:  Austin Owens took 2nd place.  The Best in Show award went to David Baugh.  The exhibit ran for two weeks in the lobby of the Bank of America building in Mesa. 
• Stapley's General and Advanced photography students were selected as the 2006 MovieFest winner under the category of "Best Instructor PowerPoint Production."  An award ceremony was held on May 16th in the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board Room.  A live broadcast was aired on Cox Cable Channel 99 and Cable America.  The production was an assembly of photographs that complimented an original sonnet written by Allora Davis (9th grade).  Photo One – Alexandra Gibbs (9th), Photo Two – Allora Davis      (9th), Photo Three – Michael Dahlk (8th), Photo Four – Brooklyn Tucker (9th), Photo Five – Brett Freeman (9th), Photo Six – Tommy Kulp (9th), Photo Seven – Annie Worsley (9th), Photo Eight – Marcella Nicosia (9th), Photo Nine – Allora Davis (9th), Photo Ten – Annie Worsley (9th), Photo Eleven – Alexandra Gibbs (9th), Photo Twelve – Jennifer Tang (9th), Photo Thirteen – Allison Burke (9th), Photo Fourteen – Robert Dyer (9th), Photo Fifteen – Spencer Jones (9th), Photo Sixteen – Karissa Sargent (9th), Photo Seventeen – Jessica Glauser (8th), Photo Eighteen – Austin Owens (9th), Photo Nineteen – Brooklyn Tucker (9th), Photo Twenty – Alexandra Gibbs (9th), Photo Twenty-one – Alexandra Gibbs (9th), Photo Twenty-two – Jenna Bliven (8th), Photo Twenty-three – Bryce McSherry (9th), Photo Twenty-four – Alexandra Gibbs (9th), Photo Twenty-five – Jarrett Bunnin (8th), Photo Twenty-six – Michelle Metcalf (9th), Photo Twenty-seven – Michael Williams (9th), Photo Twenty-eight – Ashwin Sundar (9th), Photo Twenty-nine – Alexandra Gibbs (9th).  An additional special thanks to Mrs. Sharalyn   Barnby, Audio Visual Specialist, Stapley Junior High School.  PowerPoint production by Mrs. Renee Dahlk, Stapley Junior High, Photography Instructor.

2006 - 2007

• Stapley's Photo Club members were featured in the August/September 06' issue of Teacher Magazine.  The Community section highlighted "Teachers With Cameras" showed educators sharing "teachable moments" for fellow collegues nationwide.  Be sure to check out the gallery of photos by clicking on this link: http://tm.edweek.org/tm/section/teachers-with-cameras/index.html.  Under the Aug./Sep. section.
• Stapley's Introductory to Photography students held their annual photo exhibit at the Superstition Springs Mall from December 20th - January 5th.  Their work was featured in a wonderful write up by the Mesa Tribune as "Mesa Students Learn 'Lost Art' of Photography" publishedon December 26th.   Students displayed 155 black and white/hand colored photos, along with their written work on a 43 foot long display. 
• For the third year in a row, the judges at the Mesa District Young at Art competition honored Stapley with the "Best in Show" plaque and 10 ribbons.  Once again, Stapley swept the Digital category, taking all four places: Jake Burger - 1st and Best in Show, Ross Netko - 2nd, Jessica Ruffennach - 3rd, Erin Hannam - Honorable Mention. For  the Experimental category: Angela Graves - 1st, Domenico Nicosia - 2nd, Crystal Beebe - 3rd, Jarrett Bunnin - Honorable Mention.  For  the Black and White category: Alyssa Judd - 2nd and Julia Rhieu - 3rd.
• Congratualtion to all of the photo students who participated in our 5th Annual Spring Photo Show.  Students earned ribbons, plaques, and cash prizes! This year the award for Outstanding Photographer of the Year was awarded to Rainboe Dan - 9th grade/General Photo. She was awarded a plaque and $160.00.  The following awards were given to Advanced Photo students: Student's Choice Award - Best in Show - Ross Netko.  Second Student's Choice Award - Best in Show - Krissy Babos. Both students received a plaque and a $75.00 Westcor Visa Card. The following students were awarded a ribbon and Westcor Visa Cards or Cash (1st - $50, 2nd - $25, & 3rd - $15): Erika Baker - 1st , Erin Hannam - 1st , Jarrett Bunnin - 2nd, Angela Graves - 2nd, Julia Rhieu - 3rd, Codee Seehagan - 3rd.  Two Honorable Mentions were given to Jake Burger and Jessica Ruffennach.  These students received a $25 and $15 Gift Certificate to Tempe Camera. The following General Photo students were awarded a ribbon and Westcor Visa Cards or Cash (1st - $50, 2nd - $25, & 3rd - $15):  Emily Tobler - 1st, Capri Funk - 1st, Amber Larson - 2nd, Domenico Nicosia - 2nd, Calleen O'Neall - 3rd, Madisen Fedo - 3rd.  One Honorable Mention was given to Taylor Jones. She received a $10 Gift Certificate to Tempe Camera.   The following Introductory to Photo students were awarded a ribbon and Westcor Visa Cards or Cash (1st - $50, 2nd - $25, & 3rd - $15):  Melia Mason - 1st, Jerri Allred - 1st, Alyssa Bird - 2nd, Jordan Spence - 2nd, Jamie Willcox - 3rd, Maeser Allen - 3rd.

2007 - 2008

JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE!