Makayla Maxson, a junior advertising and public relations major from Kearney, Nebraska, won the top prize in the 2026 Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge for her essay “Hands to Feathers: Rescuing Raptors Across Nebraska.” Maxson will receive a $5,000 scholarship to complete her studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
The annual competition challenges students to shoot and compose a photo essay of up to 10 images in 24 hours at a location of their choosing. This year’s theme was “Making a Difference.”
Second place went to Brady Cornelius, a senior advertising and public relations and broadcasting major from St. Paul, Nebraska, for “Cookies, Chicken and Connection: Volunteers and Neighbors at Matt Talbot.” Cornelius will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
Third place was awarded to Alex Gryczanowski, a junior broadcasting and journalism major from Plattsmouth, Nebraska, for “Music Brings Lincolnites of All Ages Together, Uplifts Local Voices.” Gryczanowski will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
The two other finalists, Hannah Herrera, a junior advertising and public relations and broadcasting major from Wahoo, Nebraska, and Amanda Yuan, a junior broadcasting major from Omaha, will each receive a $500 scholarship — Herrera for “Crafting Community: How Second Chances Can Change the Trajectory of a Life” and Yuan for “A Day of Reflection: Pastor and Counselor Hobbs.”
On Feb. 28, essays were judged by five photojournalism professionals in two rounds. In the initial round, participants were narrowed to five finalists and invited to present their essays to the judges and the public. Following the presentations, the judges conferred to select the winners.
Competition judges were Allen Schaben, Pulitzer Prize-winning staff photographer at the Los Angeles Times; Brianna Soukup, staff photographer at the Portland Press Herald; Cara Owsley, Pulitzer Prize-winning visual journalist/director of photography at the Cincinnati Enquirer; Mike Davis, a visual storytelling consultant, editor, educator and author; and Robert Cohen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.
Students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications’ advanced videography class handled event production and livestreaming, and, for the first time this year, the finals were emceed by students in the class.
The Perry Photojournalism Challenge, established in 2019, is supported by Husker alumnus Philip Perry. The competition allows undergraduates in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications to develop photography and storytelling skills while competing for scholarships.
