Bernie Verhoeven does it for the third time

GREAT BAY– For the fourth straight year, a female photographer has won the very attractive cash prize for the top photograph in the Aviation Photographic Competition, Toppix.

Toppix aviation photo contest

Bernie Verhoeven achieved notoriety four years ago after winning the first competition and her image which occupies a permanent spot above the doors of the arrival hall at the Princess Juliana International Airport is a timely reminder.

She did it again in the second competition, but that time the winning image was shot by Ricardo Benjamin. Because he was not present at the time of the announcement – a requirement by the organizers – the top prize went to Verhoeven.

She submitted the second best image and automatically won the cash prize of $2,500. In 2015, another woman took the top spot – Fiona van Kampen. Now Verhoeven is back with a bang and out of the 60 plus images submitted by over 20 participants, her shot of Pawa as it made a 28 departure got the nod of approval from the judges.

At the official announcement which took place in front of the airport’s terminal building last Friday afternoon, all of the participants waited patiently. In addition to the grand cash prize, there were also five nominations.

The six images selected were displayed on a television screen in no order and the names of the persons that took those images were announced. Of the six images, three were taken by Van Kampen, one by Rich Hazel and one by Ricardo Benjamin.

Verhoeven who appeared to be in shock at the final announcement was the obvious winner; she was at a loss for words. But she earned it and for those who are repeaters along with those competing for the first time, better luck next time.

Photo caption: Bernie Verhoeven poses in front of the winning image that earned her the very attractive cash prize for the third time. Photo Today / Milton Pieters