TWO LOCAL RESIDENTS PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL KINSA COMPETITION

Mary Cobb's photograph of her two children.

Two finalists from the Southeast Missourian's first KINSA contest earned international recognition.

Dr. Robert Cox of Cape Girardeau and Mary Cobb of Scott City both received Special Merit Awards in the 62nd Kodak International Newspaper Snapshot Award contest. Each received a $50 check from Kodak and a certificate.

Cobb's photograph of her two children floating in a bathtub of bubbles was chosen "People's Choice" at the contest exhibit at West Park Mall.

Cobb was elated by her Kodak award. The timing of the check is great, she said, "just in time for Christmas."

Cox's photograph depicts a flock of seagulls flying directly overhead.

"Fantastic," said Cox, upon hearing the news Monday afternoon. He plans to enter the 1998 KINSA contest, saying this year's competition "was a lot of fun."

KINSA is the world's largest annual amateur-snapshot contest. International judges considered 1,116 photographs from 258 newspapers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Hundreds of thousands of snapshots competed in local snapshot contests for a chance at international recognition and a share of the $52,500 KINSA '97 purse.

A total of 257 photos won cash prizes. This included seven top awards, 50 honor awards in 10 subject categories, and 200 Special Merit Award winners that captured a judge's attention.

Newspapers in 33 states and the District of Columbia submitted entries. The Southeast Missourian was the only participating newspaper in Missouri.

Two Southern Illinois residents were also recognized with Special Merit Awards through their entries in the Southern Illinoisan's KINSA contest. Those winners were Joseph Hudgins and Karen Carlton, both of Murphysboro, Ill.

Joyce Hunter served as KINSA contest coordinator for the Southeast Missourian. The fact two of the eight local finalists won recognition at the international level speaks highly for area participants, she said.

The two winners will add to the anticipation for next year's contest, Hunter said.

"We had more than 1,300 entries this year, which we thought was outstanding for our first year," she said. "We expect next summer's contest to be bigger, brighter and better than ever."

The grand prize 1997 KINSA winner depicted a "woebegone" cat clinging to the side of his bathtub. The photo, taken by 17-year-old Christy Hobaugh of Arnold, Md., earned her the $10,000 top prize.

The other top six photos feature a man in his backyard; a street in Florence, Italy; an eagle at Topeka Zoo; three puppies; children playing at the beach; and a little blonde girl.

Judges came from National Geographic Society, Walt Disney Attractions, two universities and the world of professional photography.