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SECRETARY'S CHOICE
Cousins by Fate, Friends by Choice: "This picture was taken while on a family vacation. My granddaughters remind me of why I do and to uphold our recovery principals of restoration and personal growth as well as peer support and community life."
Photographer: Brenda Baldwin
DSHS Secretary, Jilma Meneses' words: “It’s my honor to select the DSHS Photo Contest Secretary’s Choice Award for 2021. Every photo captures an emotion and a moment in time that tells a compelling story. The artistic responses were exceptional and I would like to recognize all artists for their creativity and their visual narrative. After much consideration, I chose “Cousins by Fate, Friends by Choice”. This sweet image of two little girls sitting near the water shows what we are all about as people in this world: Despite our many differences, we come together to support each other – even when we’re wearing our various floatation devices. This photo captures perfectly the beauty of an ordinary moment while also illustrating unity, humanity, love and inclusion. It is an example of finding “truth” and “reality”. Congratulations to this photographer and all other artists who participated in this year’s contest. I encourage you to see them all for yourselves!”
PHOTOGRAPHERS CHOICE
Awesome Sunrise: “Taken at Dawn Near Silverdale.”
Photographer: Judi Stewart
PHOTOGRAPHERS CHOICE - Honorable Mention
Moulton Falls Park
Photographer: Kim Karu
TECHNICAL - 1st Place
Sunrise at Midnight: "It was about midnight one night. It was also a full moon. I walked about 1/2 mile up the trail from the Sunrise visitor center parking area and saw this. It took my breath away! I was able to capture the awe I felt on my camera."
Photographer: Tami Boelter
TECHNICAL - 2nd Place
Blackbirds
Photographer: Bruce Pearson
TECHNICAL - 3rd Place
Fly with Me: "Used a macro lens to capture this fly on a rain-speckled leaf."
Photographer: Mark Kester
TECHNICAL - Honorable Mention
The Mukilteo Lighthouse
Photographer: Scott Alexander
ARTISTIC - 1st Place
Fall in the PNW
Photographer: Kim Karu
ARTISTIC - 2nd Place
Proud Onyx: "This is truly a black stallion, named Onyx. He is a wild mustang. He lives in Nevada on BLM land."
Photographer: Tami Boelter
ARTISTIC - 3rd Place
Big Sur
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell
ARTISTIC - Honorable Mention (tie)
Happy as a Clam: "We took a family trip to Westport, WA to go razor clamming. My 2.5 year old had a blast at the beach flying kites, digging clams, and making sand casts!"
Photographer: Morgan Stroh
ARTISTIC - Honorable Mention (tie)
Milky Way - McNary Refuge: "Posed with a headlamp under the Milky Way listening to elk bugling."
Photographer: Robert Salsbury
ARTISTIC - Honorable Mention (tie)
Long and Winding Road
Photographer: Kristin Korvell
DSHS IN ACTION - 1st Place
200+ Blankets, Dozens of Patients: "What’s the Value of a Blanket? I get to work with some most amazing people every day, with whom I laugh, cry, learn, and grow. In an engagement gathering on CFS ward F8 a couple weeks prior to Thanksgiving 2019, a Patient asked me to help him do a service project: He wanted to do something meaningful to contribute to the community that he had damaged and make a difference in the lives of the “homeless folks”. After discussing various ideas, including food boxes and hygiene kits, we agreed to make blankets for them. We looked at a variety of possibilities and decided that making "tied blankets" (2 layers of fleece, cut fringes all the way around, then tie the fringes together, no sewing needed!) would be the best choice, given that 1 layer was insufficient to ward-off the cold in this area, we had no capacity to sew, and they were durable and easy to wash. He invited the others in the gathering to join him and most agreed. They settled on an initial goal of 50 blankets, and then submitted the idea to the wonderfully supportive leadership of F8 (Ward Admin, RN 3s, RN2s, MSWs, Psych, Psychiatrist), as well as my supervisor. After all the specific precautions and controls were settled on and implemented, we wrote up the idea on a FB page in order to see what kind of support would develop. Within a few hours, dozens of people across the country began expressing interest in supporting and contributing to the project, and soon over $500 of cash and fabric were donated. My wife had been the first donor, prior to the FB posting, and the team made the first two blankets to see how the process would go. About 45 minutes from starting with 5 team members and 1 Staff, we had the first blanket completed, quickly improving a few methods to cut the time down to about 30 minutes for a large blanket (60” x 90”, twin-sized). (Here are pics of the first 2 blankets we finished with donated fleece material) Since those first 2 blankets, the team on F8 has grown & spread across campus to over 8 other wards, including S8, S9, C3, C6, F6, S5, & S10! So far we have made over 200 blankets, including 2 turtle-themed blankets for the daughter of a Staff member who was valiantly battling brain cancer for the 2nd time. We have made adult, youth, and child sizes, with differing themes and patterns. Originally, the blankets were made by Patients and Staff for homeless shelters, though we found some weren't willing to accept the new blankets because they didn't come from a factory, so we altered our plan and donated the first 25 to a Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, and 7 more to a local nursing home around Christmas. We are planning another donation to Tacoma Rescue Mission, or if declined, more to the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Additionally, many have been made for Patients and kept by the respective Patients who make them. Lastly and ongoing, many have recently been purchased by Staff members, with the moneys going back into the process of buying more fabric for more blankets for more Patients and Staff. Blanket making has begun to be utilized as part of our Voc Rehab program, with proceeds going back into the program. You might ask “What’s the value of this project for the clients who are participating?”. First, and foremost, we are engaging in productive activity that THEY choose to do from their desire to help others, giving back to their community. Second, we gather around a blanket, helping each other while arranging, cutting, and tying each blanket, discussing what they are thinking about and what’s important to them. The therapeutic aspects herein are quite obvious and have reinforced healing on many levels for many Patients and Staff. Lastly, Patients and Staff are building a peaceful brotherhood and sisterhood, together fulfilling the very needs that many of them have experienced first-hand: homelessness, cold, and loneliness. As our former CEO noted upon hearing and seeing the project, “Patients… are learning empathy, to understand others’ needs beyond their own, and the value of productive service (versus idle hands...) and good will.” (Dave Holt)
Photographer: B. Sven Sluyter
DSHS IN ACTION - 2nd Place
We love ALTSA's RCS (Ridiculously Cute Siblings)
Photographer: Amber Crosby
DSHS IN ACTION - 3rd Place (tie)
COVID Winter 2020: "During the peak of COVID, we were working in the office 5 days a week. This was us in the heat of battle making copies."
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell
DSHS IN ACTION - 3rd Place (tie)
Spring in Blake Office Park Parking Lot: "Taking a walk on my lunch break on a perfect spring day. These trees in the parking lot provide beauty year-round."
Photographer: Julietta Davidson
DSHS IN ACTION - Honorable Mention (tie)
A wish for ESH patients: "This picture embodies the hope and wishes we as staff hold for patients at ESH."
Photographer: Susie Tripodi RN
DSHS IN ACTION - Honorable Mention (tie)
The Office Assistant: "On a day this past year I wasn't feeling my best while teleworking. Deciding to take my laptop to my bed to try and get a few things done I got unexpected assistance. Mr. Mocha after watching me intently, decided he would help me complete my assignment so we could get back to what was important cuddle time!"
Photographer: Cindy Stallsworth
DSHS IN ACTION - Honorable Mention (tie)
Sunrise over the CSTC Admin Building: "The photo was taken on Monday, 11/1/2021 as the sun was rising over the CSTC Admin Building. There are no filters – just fall nature and all of its beauty!"
Photographer: Amber Perez
DSHS EMPLOYEES - 1st Place
In Memory of: "In July of 2021, I hiked Worthington Glacier near Valdez, AK to spread the ashes of my cousin who passed away in January from COVID. I believe this picture captured the beauty of the glacier where he was laid to rest."
Photographer: Tonia Howe
DSHS EMPLOYEES - 2nd Place
Peaceful Lake Day
Photographer: Martha Burris
DSHS EMPLOYEES - 3rd Place
At Riffe Lake: "A DSHS employee enjoying the outdoors at Riffe Lake."
Photographer: Bruce Pearson
DSHS EMPLOYEES - Honorable Mention (tie)
What's Next Sometime Just isn't That Important
Photographer: Mark O'Donnell
DSHS EMPLOYEES - Honorable Mention (tie)
TEAMs Conference with the Boss
Photographer: JD Selby
DSHS FAMILY - 1st Place
Puppy Love: "Our Grandson and Our Dog Bruce bonded so strongly when we went camping at the ocean, They are about the same age and seemed to really love and show such affection for each other."
Photographer: Grace Campbell
DSHS FAMILY - 2nd Place
Happy Face in Harvest Season: "I took this picture this October while my daughter was picking up the apples in our backyard. She was so excited about choosing apples from the apple tree. I would love to capture each of her happy moment. So I took this picture."
Photographer: Yun Su
DSHS FAMILY - 3rd Place
A Girl and Her Cat: "My Granddaughter has always been artistic, She loves to be creative, loves Anime and she loves her cat Princess Pumpkin who also feels right at home on her lap."
Photographer: Grace Campbell
DSHS FAMILY - Honorable Mention (tie)
Beach Adventures
Photographer: Morgan Stroh
DSHS FAMILY - Honorable Mention (tie)
Spouses Promotion 6/1/2032: "Photo from my husband’s promotion ceremony over the summer. DSHS is an inclusive employer who celebrates diversity and people from all walks of life, including myself as a military spouse. Thanks to DSHS being open and accepting, I was able to take time off to attend this monumental event and celebrate my spouse."
Photographer: Amber Perez
DSHS CLIENTS - 1st Place
Special Moments: "Special moments with a little walk and talk along the wooded trail It's amazing the influence a child can have in the life of an adult. Whether a child is in our lives for days or for months, we always feel so blessed to be able to share our home and experiences with them. Sure they bring their sorrows with them, but they also share their smiles and their enthusiasm for life, bringing smiles and purpose to our lives as well. They help keep us 60 year old's young both physically and mentally!"
Photographer: Kathy Lindsley
DSHS CLIENTS - 2nd Place
Out of Nowhere
Photographer: Cynthia Johnson
DSHS CLIENTS - 3rd Place
In the Swing: "Feeling safe and relaxed. A time to be treasured in the life of a foster child."
Photographer: Kathy Lindsley
DSHS CLIENTS - Honorable Mention (tie)
Butterfly Art by Me
Photographer: Valerie Blanchard
DSHS CLIENTS - Honorable Mention (tie)
Change Comes Fast
Photographer: Cynthia Johnson
Click HERE to see the photo contest collection of:
- 2023 Photos -- Winners
- 2021 Photos -- Winners
- 2019 Photos -- Winners
- 2017 Photos -- Winners
- 2015 Photos -- Winners
- 2013 Photos -- Winners
- 2011 Photos
- 2009 Photos
Contact us with questions or comments at: 888.793.2567 (toll-free), 360.902.8260, DSHS_Photos@dshs.wa.gov