Friends Of Caleb Smith Preserve Announce Winners Of Photo Contest

Winning photos can be seen on the Smithtown Matters Gallery page.

Winners have been announced in the First Annual Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve photo contest, which began on August 1, 2019 and ran through January 2020. There were thirty-seven participants in the six-month-long contest, which focused on the beauty of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve on Route 25 West in Smithtown. Judges included three members of the Friends group, and a Park official.

Friends President Chris Duffner said, “The contest was an enjoyable experience as all the beautiful photos came in, and we’re looking forward to holding it again next year.”

The contest was divided into two age groups: Youth, and Adult [ages 18 or over]. There were 22 contestants in the Adult division and 15 in the Youth division, most of whom were from Commack High School. 

The winners in the Adult division are:

First place: Elizabeth Milward of Smithtown for “Reflection”. First place: Elizabeth Milward of Smithtown for “Reflection”. Second Place: Katelynd Hill, East Meadow, for “Goose Stretch”. Third Place:  Gerta Polgardy, Kings Park, for “Barn”. Honorable mentions went to Tom Caruso, Smithtown, for “Deer in Snow Storm,” and Sid Lorber, Smithtown, for “A December Day at Caleb”.

Winners in the Youth division are: 

DiStefano, Commack H.S. for “Frozen Pond”First place: Michela DiStefano, Commack H.S. for “Frozen Pond”. Second Place: Miranda Gonzalez, Commack H.S. for “Emergence”; Third Place: Travis Maffei, Kings Park, for “Ageless Beauty; Honorable mention: Russell Korn, Commack High School, for “Reflection”. 

          A reception honoring the winners and finalists will be held at the Park museum on Sunday, March 15 at 1 p.m. to honor the winners and award the cash prizes of $100 to each of the first place winners, $50 to the second place winners and $25 to the third place winners. The winning photos will be on display throughout the month of March.