Girl, 16, wins PUD photo contest

EPHRATA - Shawnee Moats, 16, of Soap Lake, is the ultimate Columbia River Nomad based on the results of a recent Grant PUD Facebook photo contest.

Her image of the Columbia River from the high basalt cliff faces near Vantage beat 41 other images submitted during Grant PUD's month-long River Nomad photo contest.

Outdoor enthusiasts around the state submitted their adventure photos from the Columbia Basin during July. Winners were selected by the highest number of Facebook "likes," received by posting their photos to Grant County PUD's Facebook page.

"I heard about this contest because I really love photography. I want to be a professional photographer some day," Moats said.

The goal of the contest was to showcase the recreation opportunities available in central Washington.

Photos of wildlife, rock-climbing, wakeboarding and other fun-in-the-sun activities made up the dozens of outdoor recreation photos submitted.

The three top photos were awarded prize packages from Washington State Parks. Moats and her first place photo received $50 in State Park Dollars, which can be used at any Washington State park pay site.

Her image will also be displayed at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park visitor center, located in Vantage.

To view all of the photo submissions, visit Grant County PUD on Facebook.

- Staff report