Iconic Images of Colby, Kan., in 2010

"Colby on the Plains," by Ariel Severson, age 16

Describe your photograph.

"It represents the agricultural side of Colby with the cattle and the grain elevators. It also represents how Colby stands out in the middle of the Plains and still goes strong."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"Colby is on the Western front and has been here for a very long time."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"I thought that it was a photograph opportunity and it had good leading lines."

"Conversation of Past and Future," by Nicholas Larmer, age 16

Describe your photograph.

"In our community people can walk into your house and you don't have to be scared. People can wave and not get flipped off. It's comfortable to talk to someone in the street and not worry about being a nuisance to the public."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"People are still socialize even with advances in technology that keep us in the comfort of our homes. We still get out and socialize with others face to face, which I think will never fade away from society."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"One, I like muscle cars. Second of all, I wanted others to try to figure out what the conversation was, like I tried to do, but still cannot figure out what's going on, so I leave it up to the reader to decide."

"Conversation over Coffee," by Keesa Wright, age 18

Describe your photograph.

"My photograph is a picture of a lady purchasing a Starbucks drink. This represents our community because of the environment that Starbucks has."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"It shows how our society is today. It's considered normal to get a coffee every day while relaxing and reading the newspaper. The atmosphere that Starbucks puts off is something everyone can enjoy."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"Anytime I'm in Starbucks, I feel relieved. I feel as if I can just let everything go and shut out the busy society. It tends to give people comfort in their own lives. The atmosphere gave me inspiration to take this photograph."

"Nothing but Fun," by Megan Dougherty, junior

Describe your photograph.

"My photograph represents my community because it shows that children can just go out and have fun with all their friends on any day."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"It shows that children can still go out and have fun."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"I love children, and when I see them having fun it just makes my day."

"Oasis on the Plains," by Hayayn Best, age 14

Describe your photograph.

"Starbucks sign surrounded by palm trees at a local travel center."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"The photograph is iconic because the Starbucks sign represents a place that everybody has access to and the background of palm trees shows that in Colby."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"Andrea whipping around the corner to get to Starbucks. Because we love Starbucks!"

"Out to Dry," by Lacy O'Neal, sophomore

Describe your photograph.

"An older person putting clothes on the line. This represents it takes all kinds to make a community. It also shows everyday life."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"It represents an everyday task that many perform."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"I love my grandma, and this is a task she performs every day."

"Simple Pleasures," by Kasey Donley, age 17

Describe your photograph.

"Colby is a peaceful place where real cowboys with honest morals can still be found. People here enjoy the simple things like talking on a warm spring day."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"It shows that even though times are changing and things may be tight, some things never change."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"I saw a gun show and saw an old-time cowboy and thought they went together."

"Water and Life," by Julia Hutfles, age 16

Describe your photograph.

"The new water tower, our push to keep going forward despite hard times."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"That it was built recently to help support our community."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"I wanted to capture the continuous steps forward our community takes."

"We Buy Coins," by Andrea Dizmang, age 16

Describe your photograph.

"Men checking out coins and guns. It represents what outings people go to."

What makes this photograph "iconic?"

"The coin and gun show is an annual event that many people attend."

What inspired you to take this photograph?

"The sign 'We Buy Coins' looked really cool, because it was illuminated."