Five Berner Middle School students recently participated in a photojournalism project sponsored by Washington Mutual and the New-York Historical Society. The five students, Christa Brunks, Kathryn Curry, LoriBeth Manzolillo, Danielle Rinaudo, and Steven Seftner, with the assistance of their advisor, Berner teacher Laura Siegel, photographed people in public service in the Massapequa community. Students photographed Town of Oyster Bay workers, teachers at Berner, and a postal carrier. Students also had the opportunity to ask these public servants questions about their work.

The project began Sept. 17 with a kick-off event at Chelsea Piers in New York City. David Hume Kennerly and Channel 2 News anchor Ernie Anastos provided motivation and suggestions for taking photos. A news story about the event ran on Channel 2 that evening. As part of the project, Cannon donated a digital camera to Berner.

One of the Berner students' photos submitted to the competition was chosen as a winner. The award-winning photo is of Berner's own Amy Cruickshank. Ms. Cruickshank is a foreign language teacher and soccer coach. Her photo is on display, along with the 64 other winning photos and an exhibit by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Hume Kennerly, at the New-York Historical Society in New York City until Jan. 19. An opening celebration for the exhibit was held Oct. 29 at the New-York Historical Society. Advisor Ms. Siegel attended with two students involved in the project and Ms. Cruickshank. "It was a wonderful evening," Siegel said.

The award-winning photograph, along with the five other photographs submitted to the judges, are on exhibit at the Washington Mutual Bank in Sunrise Mall.

"This has been an amazing opportunity for students to learn about the art of photojournalism, as well as to recognize the important work public servants perform in Massapequa," Ms. Siegel said.

"The photojournalism project was a great experience for my friends and I," said student LoriBeth Manzolillo. "I enjoyed learning how to use the camera and take pictures of people at work.