A surge of sunlight ignites the summer sky as an American flag snaps in the wind above Marines frozen in their iconic struggle. The result is an image that feels less like a monument and more like a moment. Though the subject is the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C., the photograph, animated by light and movement, appears remarkably alive.
With this picture, Youth Tour delegate Kaydence Garland of Jonesboro, representing Craighead Electric, won this year’s Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Youth Tour Photo Contest on Arkansas Living’s Facebook page.
The photograph carries personal significance for Kaydence, whose father served as a Marine and whose mother loves photographing dramatic skies.
“In this moment, everything just came together,” Kaydence says. “The crowd had moved out of the way. I had the perfect view of the memorial with a beautiful sky behind it. I felt like it was a perfect photo to send to both of my parents.”
Her victory came against strong competition from three other finalists: Isaac Merriman of Carroll Electric (Korean War Veterans Memorial); Maggie Poteat of First Electric (Lincoln Memorial); and Maryn Harvey of First Electric (U.S. Capitol).
Their photos were taken during Youth Tour, which brought high school seniors from across Arkansas to Washington, D.C., June 13-19. Their visit came at a meaningful moment, as the nation prepared to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
Photographs like Kaydence’s and stories told in the delegates’ own words (see page 8) capture places where history was made while inspiring a new generation to engage with it. And make no mistake: This generation is engaged.
Consider Kaydence’s own thoughtful reflection on her winning picture. “This photo is a reminder that freedom is not free,” she says. “It represents sacrifices made by our veterans, those who gave their lives so that we may live ours. It also speaks to the power of unity. Like E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one — we are stronger when we stand together. As one nation under God, it is our responsibility to work side by side for the good of our country and for our neighbors, striving together to achieve the best possible future.”
And that future — with young people like Kaydence and her fellow Youth Tour delegates leading the way — looks promising.
With optimism,
Jennifer Christman Cia