Brothers take top award in Optimist Club photo contest
Brothers Jackson Newgord (left) and AJ Guggisberg (right) hold their winning photograph during the Optimist Club photography contest award ceremony. Newgord won first in the 1-6th grade category and Guggisberg won for the 7-12th grade category.
Ten-year-old Jackson Newgord received the top prize in grade 1-6 division of New Ulm Optimist Club’s photography contest for his daisy-heart photo.
Thirteen-year-old AJ Guggisberg won the 1st place in the grade 7-12 division of the New Ulm Optimist Club’s photography contest for his dock on the water a sundown photo.
New Ulm Optimist Club’s photography contest winners collected their prizes Tuesday during the club’s award ceremony. From left to right. Jackson Newgord, AJ Guggisberg, Aiden Altmann, Owen Budahn, Isaac Achman and Abigail Achman.
Brothers Jackson Newgord (left) and AJ Guggisberg (right) hold their winning photograph during the Optimist Club photography contest award ceremony. Newgord won first in the 1-6th grade category and Guggisberg won for the 7-12th grade category.
Ten-year-old Jackson Newgord received the top prize in grade 1-6 division of New Ulm Optimist Club’s photography contest for his daisy-heart photo.
Thirteen-year-old AJ Guggisberg won the 1st place in the grade 7-12 division of the New Ulm Optimist Club’s photography contest for his dock on the water a sundown photo.
New Ulm Optimist Club’s photography contest winners collected their prizes Tuesday during the club’s award ceremony. From left to right. Jackson Newgord, AJ Guggisberg, Aiden Altmann, Owen Budahn, Isaac Achman and Abigail Achman.
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NEW ULM - The results are in and the top winners of the 2025 New Ulm Optimist Club photo contest are brothers Jackson Newgord and AJ Guggisberg.
The goal of the contest was to take a photo the best represents a part of the Optimist Creed. Each photo submitted was required to be matted and include a line from the creed. Members of The Optimist Club would rank the photos based on which best represented the chosen line.
Newgord, 10, won in the grad 1-6th division for his daisy-heart photography with the creed "To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true."
Newgord said he came up with the idea for the photo after finding the daisy, but required help staging the photo. He was unable to make the heart shape with his hands, hold the flower and take the photo at the same time.
Newgord said his mom holding the flower. The heart was made by Newgord and his aunt. Newgord took the photo himself. He made to take the photograph with a hint of fire peaking through the top.
Newgord said it only took a couple tries to get the photo just right.
AJ Guggisberg, 13, won in the 7-12 grade category for his photo of a dock on the water with the creed line: "To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future."
Guggisberg said he capture his dock on the water photograph while on a family vacation up north. He saw the dock on the water.
"I thought it was good shot," he said.
Guggisberg took several shot of the dock until he got the one he liked best. He was waiting for sundown to the right lighting. Though taken in color, his photo looks nearly black and white due heavy shadows.
This was the first time the brothers have entered the Optimist Club photo contest. They were both trying something new and happened to get the top prize. The two indicated that they intend to enter the contest again next year.
All photos will be on display in the children’s room at the library later today and will remain there for a week. Optimist Club member Liz Altman said all photos entered in the contest will be on display in the children's room at the New Ulm Public Library for the next two week.
Photo contest results:
In grades 1-6, First place ($75): Jackson Newgord; Second place tie ($50 each): Madisyn Peterson and Abigail Achman; third place tie ($40 each): Harrison Schaefer, Simone Thompson, Henry Swenstad, William Swenstad and Owen Budahn.
In grades 7-12, first place ($75): AJ Guggisberg; second place ($50): Aiden Altmann; third place ($40): Soren Thompson; fourth place tie ($30 each): Isaac Achman, Charles Schaefer and James Schaefer.
People’s Choice award was a 1-vote difference between Aiden Altmann, Madisyn Peterson and Abigail Achman and each received a certificate recognizing their achievement. Aiden Altmann will receive a $50 prize for People’s Choice.