Jamasen Nichols, a high school senior from Lehigh, was a first place winners in this year’s Happy Birthday Kansas! photography contest.

Jamasen is a senior at Canton-Galva High School.

The annual contest is sponsored by Kansas State Historical Society. First and second place photos are selected for first through 12th grades. Jamasen’s black and white photo, “Escaping the Dark and Lonely,” earned her an iPad during a Jan. 29 ceremony at the state capital building.

Jamasen said her teacher titled the photo, which was taken in the hallway of Canton-Galva school.

Black and white seemed more fitting for the atmosphere of the photo and looked better in black and white, she said.

Jamasen said this is her first year working with photography. The photo seemed to be the most appropriate one for the subject.

“Something about it made it stand out,” Jamasen said.

Photos from throughout the state were entered. Winning photos will be displayed in the capital visitor center at the statehouse through Feb. 5.