Grand Prize: John Flaherty and family
American West road trip
The Flaherty family took the Post on a cross-country journey, with photos from Winnemucca, Nevada; Green River, Wyoming; Denver and Grand Junction, Colorado, and even the Golden Gate Bridge in California (above). Their wide-ranging submission captured the true spirit of adventure, earning them this year’s top award.
Second Prize: Nancy and Amy Leblang
— Indianapolis
Nancy Leblang, photographed by her daughter Amy inside Lucas Oil Stadium during GenCon, shared a playful take on the Post at the world’s largest tabletop gaming convention. Their careful choice of location — deliberately avoiding the Peyton Manning statue — gave the photo extra character.
Third Prize: Trudy L. Reid
Scotland
Trudy Reid’s photo in Scotland highlighted a meaningful family trip to celebrate her sister-in-law’s 75th birthday and visit ancestral villages. The entry stood out for its blend of personal history and international travel.
Farthest Distance from Wayland: Walters and Zachary Families Madagascar
The Walters and Zachary families brought the Post (in circle at lower right) to Antsirabe, Madagascar, where they volunteered with the Fuller Center to help build homes. Their submission traveled the farthest distance, and the story behind the photos impressed judges just as much as the miles logged.
Most Original/Humorous: Josie and Mark Guerin
Paris, Dior’s La Galerie
Josie Guerin was photographed reading the Wayland Post at Dior’s La Galerie on Avenue Montaigne, one of Paris’s most famous fashion landmarks. This photo captures her on the museum’s striking illuminated staircase lined with cases of couture dresses, handbags and shoes. The playful pairing of a small-town newspaper with one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses made this submission a standout for humor and originality.
Most Massachusetts Spirit: Pat Truman
Boise, Idaho
Though it was taken far from home, Pat Truman’s photo at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial connected back to Wayland. As a member of the town’s Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Truman tied Anne Frank’s courage to Wayland’s immigrant “Know Your Rights” campaign and Good Neighbor Day, reflecting the Massachusetts civic spirit the contest set out to celebrate.
