Gamet wins Perry Photojournalism Challenge

The finalists for the 2023 Perry Photojournalism Challenge pose with their awards. They are (from left) Meredith Gamet, first place; Amber Rodriguez, third place; Hayden Rooney, honorable mention; Jordan Moore, second place; and Lydia Hernandez, honorable mention.

Meredith Gamet, a junior journalism and French major from Omaha, won the top prize in the 2023 Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge for her essay “An Evening Out with the Loneliest Generation.” Gamet will receive a $7,000 scholarship to complete her studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Second place was awarded to Jordan Moore, a junior journalism major from Omaha, for her essay “Possessions.” Moore will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Third place went to Amber Rodriguez, a junior journalism major from Papillion, for her essay “Beyond the Binary.” Rodriguez will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Lydia Hernandez, a freshman advertising and public relations, and sports media and communication major from Omaha, and Hayden Rooney, a sophomore broadcasting major from Lincoln, received honorable mentions.

The annual competition is a test of determination and drive. This year, 18 students had 24 hours to shoot and compose a photo essay of up to 10 images around the theme “Framing Gen Z.” The competition kicked off at noon Feb. 25. The students were free to interpret the theme as they saw fit, producing an essay at any location of their choosing. Submissions were due at noon Feb. 26.

On March 4, essays were judged by six photojournalism professionals in two rounds. In the initial round, participants were narrowed to five finalists who were invited to present their essays to the judges and the general public. Following the presentations, the judges conferred to select the winners.

This year’s judges were Mike Davis, visual storytelling consultant, editor, educator and author; Ann Milroy, creative manager at DigitalSky; Frank Franklin II, a staff photographer with The Associated Press New York; Shaun Sartin, a freelance photojournalist in Lexington, Kentucky; Allen Schaben, a staff photographer with the Los Angeles Times; and Patrick Sison, photo editor at The Associated Press New York.

The Perry Photojournalism Challenge is supported by donations from Philip Perry, CEO of Perry Reid Properties.