Student Excellence in Photojournalism, Single or Photo Story

Kaiden Yu, “2024 Blossom Kite Festival,” GW Hatchet

ABOUT THE WORK: Japanese professional kite maker Mikio Toki performs at the 2024 Blossom Kite Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., March 30. The Blossom Kite Festival is one part of the annual, week-long Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., celebrating the blooming of the District's iconic cherry trees along the National Mall and Tidal Basin. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the District each year as they experience the splendor of Spring in the nation's capital.

This image was published alongside several other student photojournalists' work for the GW Hatchet in a collaborative photo essay covering the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. This photo, and its attached photo essay, seek to inform the student body of the cultural happenings in the D.C. metropolitan area. Many students new to the District often remain in the George Washington University-Foggy Bottom neighborhood bubble and seldom venture into the capital proper. By spotlighting one of D.C.'s local celebrations, this work aims to dismantle the clichéd images of an overly federal, bureaucratic city and bring attention to the District's unique blend of transnational identity and harmony with nature.

Kaiden J. Yu (俞仲威) is a Taiwanese-American photojournalist and visual artist based in Washington, D.C., with an international background. Having grown up in a military household, Kaiden's photographic work is anchored by ideas of movement, place, and belonging. He is currently studying photojournalism and international affairs at the George Washington University. When he isn't behind the camera, Kaiden is an avid jazz pianist, intrepid rock climber, and frequent movie watcher.

Honorable Mention: Manoo Sirivelu, “Home Is Where You Moor It,” Self-published

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