With more than $250,000 in scholarship money at stake, Emma Waibel and Sophie Passerini, seniors, won recognition for their photography in National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Waibel won a gold and an American Vision Award for her photo “Upside Down.” Passerini won a silver for a photo titled “Through the Looking Glass.”

“My photo was kind of last minute,” Waibel said. “I took it the day before I needed to turn it in for class.”

The judges, who are past winners or art experts, look for originality, technical skill and the voice or vision of the artist. Seniors who win National Medals have the chance to earn scholarship money and selected work is displayed in various magazines distributed in schools and libraries.

Passerini started her love of photography during her freshman year and took photography her junior year in hopes of continuing that passion. She was surprised to have learned she was a winner at the national level.

“I like photography because it’s instant, unlike painting, where it takes time for your finished product to be done,” Passerini said. “I didn’t know I had won until I walked into class and Ann Breyne (photography teacher) told me about it.”

Waibel has been into art her whole life and took up photography a few years ago. She soon realized that photography was her favorite art form.

“Photography is definitely my favorite medium,” Waibel said.

Although Waibel loves photography she currently sees it as a hobby. She hopes to work in graphic design and is looking for a way to involve photo into that.

Waibel will receive her awards at Carnegie Hall in New York City, June 10-12.

“My mom and I have worked it out so we will be able to travel to New York,” Waibel said.