“The experiences I had and the wonderful people I met during the Hearst finals will stay with me forever. I was amazed by how talented and friendly everyone was...We became quick friends and I honestly forgot that I was in a competition. I felt more like this was a group of friends getting together in a wonderful city to try to make amazing pictures…It was sad to see the week come to an end but I feel blessed because of the amazing people I was able to spend time with. I plan to call them my friends the rest of my life.”