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HILLSBOROUGH ANIMAL HEALTH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN 16TH ANNUAL KIDS ‘N PETS PHOTO CONTEST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

TAMPA, FL— A young girl clad in a nightgown kissing a dog standing on its hind legs has captured first place in the 16th Annual Kids 'N Pets Photo Contest, sponsored by the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation and held in conjunction with this year's observance of National Pet Week.

This year's theme was: "Pets Make the Difference!"

First place honors go to Tabatha Cancio, 16, of Riverview, now a senior at Riverview High School for "Who Do You Love?" showing her younger cousin, Lindsay, sharing affection with her dog, Pepper. Initially shot with color film, the winning entry was actually printed in black and white – part of a high school photography class. Tabatha, who plans on pursuing a possible career in photography, actually took the photo as a birthday present for her cousin. The judges acclaimed the top winner for its "timeless beauty, warm emotional content and good composition. . . nicely centered and focused." Top prize is a $100 U.S. Savings Bond plus tickets to Lowry Park Zoo and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Tabatha is the daughter of Laurie Kemp and Ernesto Cancio.

In what may be a "first" in the 16-year history of the kids and pets photo contest, claiming second and third place honors is 16-year-old Brittany Cardwell of New Port Richey, who is home-schooled. Her submission, "Hold That Smile," shows her two-year-old brother Joshua, 2, grinning from ear to ear as he holds their sister, Kayla's cat, Bunny. Joshua had broken his foot and was sitting on the couch with the photogenic pet. Judges commented on the great smile and "great faces on child and pet."

Second place prize is a $75 U.S. Savings bond. Brittany is the daughter of Ed and Kristin Cardwell. She is the second oldest of eight children, all of whom have been home-schooled. Her third place entry, entitled "Bunny Smooch" shows another brother, Caleb, 5, kissing his pet white rabbit, Hank, on the lips. The photo, cited by judges for its "beautiful lighting," composition and focus, earns a $50 U.S. Savings Bond for the prolific photographer, who in addition to being handy with a camera is accomplished with the flute, piano and voice. The winning shot was sort of "a spur of the moment thing," when Brittany caught the pair on a porch swing and ran for her camera.

Judges for this year's contest were: Michelle Ferrera, DVM; Jim Reed, Tampa Tribune photographer; and repeat past contest winners Tyler and Palmer Holmes of Plant City.

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation. All entries are currently on display at the main branch of the Tampa Hillsborough Public Library, 900 North Ashley Drive, and will tour Hillsborough branch libraries in coming months.

For more information, please contact:
Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation 221-4804

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Loving, Living and Learning Together
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