GCHS student’s photo wins congressional award

Grand County High School senior Kirsten Broderick’s photograph “Working Hands” recently won the first-place award at the Utah 3rd Congressional District’s art and photography competition. The piece shows a pair of gloved gardener’s hands.

Broderick said she entered the photo in the 45th annual Utah All-State High School Art Show sponsored by the Springville Museum of Art. It was then chosen by Jennifer Andelin, who works for Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.

A framed copy of the print will hang in the U.S. Capitol throughout the coming year. Broderick said she will be traveling to Springville to receive her award on Saturday, Feb. 4; she will later be flown to Washington, D.C., for the official opening presentation of the artwork.

Broderick said her piece is a combination of photography and post-production artistic effects.

“After taking the picture, I edited it in PhotoShop by adding a vignette and increasing the contrast and saturation,” she said.

Broderick added that winning the award has caused her to somewhat rethink her post-high school plans.

“My original plan after high school was to become a dental hygienist and run a photography business on the side,” she said. “With the recent news, I have become undecided about what I want to do.”