Ely Young is a “rising photographer” who took an award-winning picture of a sunset. Ely said he was riding his bike when the Florida sun took its resting place.  His mom later suggested he enter his photo in the PTA Reflections contest, in which he won the award for photography. At the awards ceremony, held at Pinellas Park High School, Ely won the district award. Ely’s sunset picture is moving on to the state level. When Ely attended the awards ceremony, he was not expecting to win.  When he won the award, he was in shock. “I didn’t expect to win, but I made it to the state level!” Ely said that he took the picture with his Samsung Galaxy Lite. In his spare time he also likes to paint. This is why he also entered the painting category, where he also won.

Hilman Chan is a sophomore who won an award in the PTA Reflections contest as well. She entered in the literature category and she’ll be moving on to state with Ely. Hilman’s favorite genre to write is fiction. “I like to keep my writing in a journal on top of my computer.” Hilman said. She keeps her journal somewhere close and accessible so when she has an idea she can begin a new story.  Hilman also attended the ceremony at Pinellas Park High School. She won the category of literature. “I felt like I had accomplished something big!”

Ely’s advice for all the aspiring artists waiting to be found is. “Do what makes you happy.”