2025 Finalists

Winners

First Place: "Silence beneath the Peaks" by Wenrui Shang

Photo Location: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang, China
Student Home Country: China

"Captured at 5:00 AM in Lijiang, China, this photograph showcases the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain echoing the traditional Chinese temple resting on the lake. The use of long exposure adds a rich sense of depth and texture to the entire composition."

Second Place: “Shadow and Flame" by Sean Chen

Photo Location: Fukuokayatsumiya Kawarago, Shiroishi, Miyagi, Japan
Student Home Country: Taiwan

"In the quiet woods of Shiroishi, the snow creates a perfect stage for the local foxes. These two caught my eye when they suddenly squared off, rising up on their hind legs and letting out sharp yips that broke the winter silence. While they look intense with their mouths wide open and paws raised, it was actually just a brief moment of high-energy play. It’s amazing to see such a raw display of energy and color against the calm, white background of the park."

Honorable Mention: “Ruby Warmth Under Emerald Skies” by Andrew Frances Pintor

Photo Location: Sørøya, Finnmark, Norway
Study Abroad Location: Sweden: Lund - Lund University/SCU

"Studying abroad in Sweden allowed me to undertake a nearly 16-hour transit to visit my paternal aunts' home on a remote island in Finnmark, Norway. For a decade, I had not been able to meet my paternal family in my father's native Mindanao in the Philippines, stemming from a lack of US consular support for Americans in the region due to guerrilla conflict. My aunts' neighborhood of ruby-red houses set against the emerald-green ribbons of an aurora taught me that the Arctic is far from an isolated, barren snowscape; rather, it is a land of contrasts, where the toasty embrace of community confronts winter's cold. In the dark polar night, seas of ethereal light and the familiar warmth of loved ones remind me that home is much more than geography."

Honorable Mention: “Dream of the 20th Century” by Wenrui Shang

Photo Location: Hong Kong, China
Student Home Country: China

"As night falls, the roadside billboards in downtown Hong Kong, the bustling crowds, and the iconic taxis evoke a sense of returning to the last century."

Finalists