Rawdon schoolmates make the final ten in national photo competition (From Wharfedale Observer)

Benton Park School duo make final ten in national competition

5:00pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in News

Two girls from the same school have made it into the final ten in an Amnesty International photography competition.
Chloe Horsfield and Holly Bairstow, who are both 15 and go to Benton Park School in Rawdon, have made the final ten in the Upper Secondary and Sixth Form photojournalism category of the Young Human Rights Reporter of the Year competition.
The remarkable achievement for the school saw the girls beat off competition from around 2,500 children from nearly 200 different schools.
Sue Dixon, Chloe and Holly’s Art teacher, said: “I am delighted that two of our young photographers are in the top ten of this prestigious award.
“It is so inspiring and enlightening to see and nurture young minds on such important human rights issues. The visual imagery in our world today can have such an impact on all our lives.”
Chloe, whose photograph aimed to show that no one should be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile, said: “When I found out I had been longlisted  I was shocked but also happy because so many people has entered. I am looking forward to seeing if my piece has made the shortlist.”
Holly added: “I am so happy I have had the opportunity to enter the  competition and even happier to know that I could be the winner as I am in the top ten.”
Niall Couper, from Amnesty, who was involved in the longlisting, said: “Chloe took a haunting image that makes viewers question why the subject has been imprisoned, while Holly’s was a beautifully set-up photograph that delivers a strong message as well as being visually satisfying.”
Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK, said: “Photographers and journalists play such an important role in exposing human rights abuses and it is inspiring to see so many children and young people taking an active interest in human rights.”
The top three in each category will be unveiled on Wednesday April 3 and the winner will be announced on April 30.
The winning work will be showcased at the organisation’s annual Media Awards in London in June in front of an audience of more than 400.
The competition is run by Amnesty International UK, the Guardian Teacher Network and the secondary school magazine SecEd.