Sharon Skeahan, first place winner, taking in the view at Greenwood Lake overlook in Sterling State Forest.
Photo Credit: Sharon Skeahan
Spring Break did not stop students from sharing their campus pride. Red Hawk Life, a campus organization, created a photo contest in which students were encouraged to show off their Montclair State gear or apparel, wherever they were on spring break.
Sharon Skeahan, first place winner and freshman, was shocked but happy when she found out she took home the gold. “I was definitely surprised. I assumed a lot of people would enter — especially since I didn’t go away or anywhere super exciting. I honestly did not think I was going to win.”
Over break, Skeahan took a mini adventure to Sterling State Forest in Orange County, New York with her family and boyfriend. Surrounded by a beautiful view, Skeahan decided it would be the perfect moment for a photo. On a whim, she submitted it to the Red Hawk Life photo contest. Skeahan has recently taken up an interest in hiking and said some of her favorite spots are the Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah and Mt. Tammany at the Delaware Water Gap.
Second place winner, Erika, in the photo she used for the contest.
Photo Credit: erikaaaaa23 (Instagram)
Third place winner and sophomore Connor Murphy spent his spring break at home, but decided to make the most of the beautiful weather.
Murphy follows the Red Hawk Life Instagram page and discovered the photo contest. Taking advantage of the sunny and warm weather, Murphy decided to take his dog, Buster, for a walk at a local park in Caldwell.
Also pictured are Murphy’s friends and fellow Montclair State sophomores, Ame Kuhl and Ashley Steimle. Murphy captured this fun moment before the group headed out. Murphy’s reaction to winning was genuine and excited. “My initial reaction was, ‘Cool.’ It was fun to win something and a nice surprise.
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Third place winner Murphy (right), friends Steimle (left), Kuhl (center), and Buster enjoying the warm weather.
Photo Credit: Connor Murphy
The rules were simple: follow @RedHawkLife on Instagram, upload a picture of yourself sporting your Red Hawk gear/apparel, tag the Red Hawk Life handle in the post and use the hashtag #TravelingRedHawks, as well as following the official contest rules and regulations. The contest ran from Friday, March 4 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, March 13 at noon. Montclair State students, alumni, faculty and staff were welcome to participate.
The top three winners were chosen by the Communications Marketing staff, who run the Red Hawk Life social media accounts. The three entries were then posted to the official Red Hawk Life Instagram page on Monday, March 14 at noon. Followers of @RedHawkLife had until noon the next day to “like” the three photos.
The entry with the most likes received the first place prize of 50 Red Hawk Dollars and a Montclair State T-shirt. The second place winner received 25 Red Hawk Dollars and a Montclair State T-shirt. The third place winner received a Montclair State T-shirt.
