“Moments Matter” 2020 Photo Contest

3^rd Place Winner:

Part of the beauty of a Winter sunset is being caught off-guard, being surprised, delighted, and dazzled toward the end of the day. I think the rare occurrence and development of this sunset (low humidity plus cleaner air equals more intense sunset colors) was kind of fun and the unexpected part of the day. This type of sunset is seen during the winter months between November through February when the sun sets on more of an angle, drawing out the time it takes to set. Lastly, the clouds may be more conducive to beautiful sunsets in the winter, as a result of a stronger temperature gradient between the north and southern latitudes, and a stronger jet stream. After a day or two of clouds, or rain, or snow, and these weather systems move westward, they set up conditions for stunning sunsets draped by clouds.

7^th Place Winner:

The Greater Peoria Honor Flight sends veterans to Washington for a day. My friends and I dress up in 1940s style dresses and makeup to welcome them home. A lot of people come out to welcome them home and we enjoy seeing the delight on the veterans faces when they see a huge crowd! Pictured are my friend Kristen and I as we grabbed a "snapshot" with a WWII veteran.

9^th Place Winner:

As an English teacher, story time is by far my favorite time of the day! It is a chance for me to share my professional passion with my children, and I know it is a moment that I will miss and long for as my children grow.

10^th Place Winner:

We met and began caring for our foster son the day after he was born. This photo was taken at around six weeks, when he caught his first cold. It's a reflection of unconditional love and a reminder of our ongoing commitment to his safety and well-being above all else. In foster care, you never know exactly how many moments you'll get to spend with a child, but each one is a gift to be treasured always.