30-01-2025
Meyersdale resident places first in 2024 'Leap In' State Park and Forest Photo Contest
CAMP Hill ― Wendy Hampe, a resident of Meyersdale, won a first-place prize in the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) 2024 'Leap In' Photo Contest.
Hampe won in the People's Choice 'Awe' category with her photo taken in Forbes State Forest. It was one of more than 300 photo submissions, of which there were top 20 winners.
'The annual photo contest not only demonstrates the beauty and history of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests, it demonstrates peoples' connections to these special places,' said Marci Mowery, foundation president. 'We applaud the photographers for capturing the images, and we applaud the leaders who had the foresight to conserve these special places for today and generations to come.'
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Hampe said in a press release that Forbes State Forest is one of her favorite places to go in the fall.
"I love seeing the golden, graceful ferns all aglow as the sunlight peeps in through the trees,' she said. 'As my husband and I were driving down the road, I was searching for the prettiest ferns. When we came upon this area, I told my husband to stop. I took a few shots, and this was my favorite!'
When she was asked about her favorite part, Hampe said in the release, 'The Forbes State Forest at the Mount Davis area has heightened weather conditions being our highest point. Each season has something special that makes it a joy to photograph. It also has a few lookouts that offer awesome views!'
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation supports 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest by coordinating volunteers, activities and donations through its 45 chapters. The mission is to inspire stewardship of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests. The award winners' photographs will hang in the East Wing Rotunda in the state Capitol in April. The submissions are on PPFF's Facebook page at
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Latrobe resident Sabine Panzer won runner-up in the People's Choice 'Awe' category with her photo taken at Kooser State Park.
'I love wildlife photography,' she said.
Panzer said she's been enjoying more time outdoors and practicing the hobby since her children have grown. When someone posted in a local photography group that they had seen an otter at Kooser State Park, she couldn't resist heading over with her camera. And, the otter gave her some rewarding shots for sitting in the freezing cold.
'I took hundreds of pictures of him coming up out of the water, climbing up on the ice, fishing, eating the fish, etc, and stayed until it got too dark for the camera to get any more good pictures,' she said of her experience in the press release.
'Kooser is one of my favorite local state parks in the winter only living about 40 minutes from there. It is one of the quieter parks with less people, and it is a good park to use snowshoes when the conditions are right,' Panzer said. 'We love the outdoors, we hike, bike, and kayak locally and all over the state and country. There are many beautiful trails and lakes to do that. We always find something to do in the local state parks and forests. We have visited more than half of the state parks in PA, and I will fill the PA State Park and Forest Passport book eventually.'
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Also for the contest, Holly April Harris, of Coal Center, won Judge's Choice in the 'Beyond the Edge' category for her photo taken at Ohiopyle State Park.
'It just so happened that there were four kayakers taking turns going over the big falls when I got there, so I decided to see if I could get some good shots of them to share the experience with others. I stood there talking with the park ranger watching them,' she said in the press release. 'The kayakers were very skilled and a lot of fun to watch. I'd never seen anybody going over the falls before and it was a neat experience.'
Harris said she loves the state park.
'What is not to love about Ohiopyle? It has everything – waterfalls, wildlife, scenic views, trails, rare wildflowers, the bike trail, the river… I like nature and taking photos and every portion of the park is a different opportunity to see something cool and beautiful. I spend as much time as I can in our state parks and forests – the beauty, peace and magic of nature is well preserved in our beautiful parks and forests.'
The 2025 Photo Contest is now open to adults and youth. This year's theme focuses on Pennsylvanians' love of trails. Categories for this year include Beyond the Trail, Comradery on the Trail, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tales from the Trail, Texture of the Trail, and Young Photographers (12-17). For information on categories, rules, and submitting your photos, visit the website at
Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 38 years, covering school boards, borough councils, sports and new stories. Contact the Daily American reporters at news@
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Three from county place in State Park and Forest Photo Contest
