Middleton High School student Kai Thompson’s winning photograph
By Holly Stoenner, Middleton High School Photography Teacher
Middleton High School and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy on May 26 celebrated the beauty, diversity, and wonder of the natural world found throughout the Pheasant Branch Conservancy through the annual Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy photo contest.
The special collection features photographs captured entirely within Pheasant Branch, highlighting the landscapes, wildlife, changing seasons, and quiet moments that make this treasured Conservancy such an important part of our community. We are especially excited to showcase student photographers whose work brings fresh perspective, curiosity, and creativity to the exhibition at the Middleton High School Art Gallery.
Through these images, visitors are invited to see Pheasant Branch through many different eyes–from first discoveries to lifelong appreciation of nature. Each photograph reflects not only artistic talent, but also a shared connection to the trails, wetlands, prairies, and habitats that inspire us all.
Students from 10 photography classes uploaded a maximum of five photos and were judged by professional photographers. The photos will be used in the publication of the Friends’ 2027 Phenology Calendar, which is anticipated to be released in August and can be purchased at pheasantbranch.org.
Photo Contest Winners
First Place: Kai Thompson
Second Place: Charlie Gill
Third Place: Clark Mildenhall
Honorable Mention
Henry Courtier
Reagan Holzheimer
Hudson Kadow
Peter Kopp
Keagan Lord-Roelke
Sam Manteufel
Maddie Nissenbaum
Dalton Nolte
Hugh Sterling
Clayton Yapp