When Dr. Jeanie Hardin, vice president of instructional services at Grayson County College, initiated a summer photo contest, she had no idea the heights, depths and distances contestants would go to get the perfect shot. Rondie McManigell, nursing professor, jumped out of an airplane and into first place with her entry.        

Hardin challenged GCC faculty and staff to take a college pennant along with them on their summer travels, and to include the pennant or GCC clothing in their photos. The contest’s goal was to increase awareness of the college and to build camaraderie among employees through a fun competition, which garnered 76 entries.

“People really enjoyed it – so much so that we plan to do something similar next summer,” Hardin said. “It was a great way to get involved with the college and to get the word out about GCC.”

The photos were presented during GCC’s State of the College meeting recently. McManigell’s skydiving photo was the overwhelming favorite among voters for its relevance to the contest theme, “Taking GCC to New Heights.” She received a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant.

McManigell’s winning photo was one of three she entered. It was taken during a weekend excursion to San Marcos, Texas, to accompany a friend on a skydiving adventure. As a first-time jumper, she leaped from the plane in tandem with an experienced skydiver and a photographer.        

“The challenge was trying to hold that pennant while plummeting 120 mph,” she said. “I’m surprised the photo turned out as well as it did, considering the difficulty. But it was fun – and I might even do it (skydiving) again.”

Employed by GCC for six years, McManigell lives in Denison. She has two children: Lindsey, a GCC sophomore, and Michael, a fifth grader.

In addition to McManigell’s winning photo, honorable mention awards were given in categories uniquely named to fit the entries’ subject matter. Six contestants were honored, including: Theresa Barnett, athletic director and softball coach, “Most Distant Location”; Dorothee Johnson, student accounts specialist, “Best College Spirit”; Dennis Westman, director of distance learning, “Most Likely to be Detained by the Secret Service”; Dorothy Woodard, professor of nursing, “Most Unusual Landmark”; and Paula Cavender, College Connections coordinator, and Cindy Powell, executive director of Texoma Tech Prep, “Biggest Bunch of Bull.”