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March 26, 2026 — Across Cobb County Schools, students are learning to see the world with greater intention, finding meaning in everyday moments, and transforming them into powerful visual stories.
One annual photography competition centered on water has become a creative outlet for that exploration, giving students the opportunity to showcase both their technical skills and unique perspectives.
Cobb Water's 2026 High School Photography Contest challenges students to capture images featuring water within Cobb County. The assignment encourages creativity in its purest form.
The winning students each received a cash prize, and their photos were turned into notecards for distribution throughout the county. Students submitted photographs in one of six categories: Water at Play, Water at Work, Water in Nature, Water and People, Protecting Water, and Conserving Water.
Celebrating Student Achievement
This year's competition recognized several talented Cobb students whose photographs stood out for their originality and craftsmanship. Six of the winning students came from Lassiter High School, two from Sprayberry High School, and two from Wheeler High School.
 Alex Hood, Lassiter High School |  Dayton Davis, Lassiter High School |
 Katelyn Garrow, Lassiter High School |  Sarah Joseph, Lassiter High School |
 Marissa Meyer, Lassiter High School |  Rushna Ahsan, Lassiter High School |
 Ashleigh Lafferty, Sprayberry High School |  Neyla Lamont, Sprayberry High School |
 Jonah Suarez, Wheeler High School |  Charlie Sayler, Wheeler High School |
At Lassiter High School, AP Art and Design Instructor Suzette Spinelli encouraged all of her students to submit a photo for this year's contest.
"This is independent work for the student," Ms. Spinelli said, "They can set up a narrative scene or simply capture something they see, but it has to be intentional."
While creativity drives the vision, technical skill shapes the final product. In preparation for the contest, Lassiter students focused heavily on composition, which Ms. Spinelli described as the most critical element of a strong photograph.
"Composition is the first priority," she explained, "Strong use of lights and darks, value is essential. That contrast helps guide the viewer's eye and creates impact."
The winning photos will be on display at the Mable House Arts Center in Mableton from April 9 to May 15.
