RITZVILLE — A Ritzville man was among the winners of the Innovia Foundation’s photography contest “Celebrating Community,” according to an announcement from the foundation. 

Kyle Niehenke, executive director of the Adams County Development Council, took third place in the Arts and Culture category for his photo “Innovia at the Ritz Theater,” showing the town’s iconic movie theater lit up at night. 

Photographers from across Eastern Washington and North Idaho submitted dozens of photos exemplifying the splendor and uniqueness of the region and the incredible generosity that strengthens our communities, according to the announcement. First, second and third-place photos were awarded in each category, including an overall winner for the contest. The categories were:  

• Arts and Culture 

• Community 

• Education 

• Landscapes 

• Wildlife 

• People 

• Nonprofit Mission in Action 

• Youth Category 

The winning photos were all taken within Innovia’s 20-county service region, according to the announcement. 

This year’s overall winner is Raelyn Williams’ “Winchester Days,” a photo of Winchester residents folding up the large American flag that had been displayed for Winchester Days.  

In the Arts and Culture category, first place went to “The Classic Car” by Mason Deacon, second place went to “Hold on Cowboy” by Raelyn Williams, and third place went to “Innovia at the Ritz Theater” by Kyle Niehenke.  

In the Community category, first place went to “Winchester Days,” second place went to “Brothers” by Myers Gorrell, and third place went to “Family Dance” by Racheal Baker.  

In the Education category, first place went to “Go, Fight, Win” by Matthew Boyle, second place went to “Polar Express Engineer School Trainee” by Bob Behal, and third place went to “Gardening” by Katrina Floyd.  

In the Landscapes Category, first place went to “Barn on Green Bluff” by Greg Bales, second place went to “Vista House” by Lindsey Bangsberg, and third place went to  
“Spalding Park Railroad Bridge” by Jessie Spears.  

In the Wildlife Category, first place went to “Pelican” by Jessie Spears, second place went to “Stubby Sue the Cow” by Taylar Millard, and third place went to “Who?” by Jessie Spears.  

In the People category, first place went to “Happy Birthday” by Lorie Palmer, second place went to “First Kayak Ride” by Joanie Christian, and third place went to “Kiss and Release” by Julia Jacobsen.  

In the Nonprofit Mission in Action category, first place went to “Rick Finds Hope” by Jessica Morgan, second place went to “Aireal's Bubbles” by Jessica Morgan, and third place went to “Serving the Community at the Mobile Market” by Brandon Vasquez.  

In the Youth category, first place went to “Warning” by Judson Knoll, second place went to “Teamwork” by Ainsley Sievers, and third place went to “Circle of Life” by Hannah Olson.  

The overall winner was invited to select a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 grant, and the winner of each category selected a nonprofit to receive a $200 grant.