Two Creekview High School seniors, Lauren Hohlt and Kris Slavinsky, have received top awards in this year’s State Fair of Texas photography contest. 

Competing against hundreds of students from across the state, Hohlt secured first place in the "Bluebonnets" category, and Slavinsky earned third place in the "Black and White Other than Texas" category. Their work was judged over a two-week period by a panel of professional photographers.

Hohlt, who has been a member of the Trail Dust yearbook staff for three years, has served as editor-in-chief during her junior and senior years.

"I enjoy that photography forces you to step out of your comfort zone and talk to people you wouldn’t have otherwise," Hohlt said. "It is an art that encourages you to document whatever you want, however you want. It also urges you to experience an adventure to acquire 'the shot.'"

Slavinsky, the current managing editor of the yearbook, has contributed to the publication for two years.

"I love photography because it's a way to capture and appreciate the beautiful moments in life that otherwise just live on in blurry memories," she said.

Both students have collected numerous awards and accolades for their photography at the local, state and national levels over the last two years. Their yearbook adviser, Shauna Banks, has been a teacher for 14 years and has advised the Trail Dust staff for the past three.

“Lauren and Kris routinely go above and beyond expectations to improve their skillsets in photography,” Banks expressed. “It’s been a delight to teach them for the last two years, and I could not have asked for a better pair to lead our 43-person yearbook staff.”

Hohlt and Slavinsky’s winning photographs will be showcased from Sept. 26 to Oct. 19 in the Creative Arts Building at the fairgrounds.