New Beginnings Announcing the Winners of MEI’s Inaugural Digital Photography Contest The Middle East Institute (MEI) is proud to announce the winners of its first-ever digital photography contest, “New Beginnings.” First prize and $500 were awarded to Bobbie Gottschalk of Washington, D.C.; Second prize and $250 went to Shadi Rahimi of Oakland, CA; and Lamine Bensaou of Algiers, Algeria was awarded third prize and $100. AIR MAX ZERO QS Launched in June, the contest drew over 400 entries interpreting the theme of “New Beginnings” through a wide range of genres including landscapes, portraiture, and street photography. nike air max 2017 femme grise

The winning photos were selected by a panel of judges including professional photographer Larry Levin, art director Charles Hyman, MEI Board member Anne Keiser, MEI Sr. Mens Nike Air Max Flyknit

Vice President Kate Seelye, and Lyne Sneige, director of MEI’s Arts & Culture program. AIR ZOOM VOMERO 12

Criteria included image quality, creativity, and adherence to the contest theme. Nike Air Max 2015 femme Six other photographs received honorable mentions and $50 prizes. Yunel Escobar Jersey The photographers were: Aya Alsafadi, Ioannis N. Nike Air Huarache Men

Grigoriadis, Daniel Huang and Theresa Menders, Casey Johnson, Semhal Tsegaye, and Natalie Wisely. Air Jordan 14 The winning photographers and their images will be recognized at MEI’s Annual Banquet on November 14, 2017 in Washington, D.C. Kirk Cousins NCAA Jersey First Prize: “Palestinian Girls Trying Out Basketball” (Otisfield, Maine), by Bobbie Gottschalk Second Prize: “Falafel with a Side of Tear Gas” (Hebron, Palestine), by Shadi Rahimi Third Prize: “Between Two Shores” (Médéa, Algeria), by Lamine Bensaou Honorable Mention: “The Smallest Hotel in the World” (Shoback, Jordan), by Natalie Wisely Honorable Mention: “No Distractions” (Amman, Jordan), by Semhal Tsegaye Honorable Mention: “Dignity” (Souda refugee camp, Chios, Greece), by Daniel Huang and Theresa Menders Honorable Mention: “Hard Beginning of a New Life” (Istanbul, Turkey), by Ioannis N.