Morgan den Dulk, a Hickman Middle School seventh grader, is a fixture at the Turlock Library. And soon, her photography will be as well.

Den Dulk was awarded with an honorable mention in the Stanislaus County Library’s Teen Read Week Digital Photography Contest. As a prize, the local student’s photograph will be displayed on the Stanislaus County Library website, and in some local libraries.

A fervent reader, den Dulk can often be found with a romance, historical fiction, or even fantasy novel in hand. While looking on the library’s website for a new book to check out, den Dulk – also an amateur photographer – stumbled onto the Teen Read Week contest.

“I was like, ‘Ooh, I’m going to enter it,’” den Dulk said. “I like taking pictures.”

Den Dulk set up a display of her books against a wall in her home, then illustrated a sign stating “Read” which she placed on top of the books.

“I kind of made it different looking,” den Dulk said.

After a quick snap and a submission, den Dulk was given an honorable mention for her photograph.

In addition to reading and photography, den Dulk enjoys painting, making videos, and writing – though math is not her favorite subject. Den Dulk hopes to pursue the hobby and one day become a photographer... or perhaps a biologist.

While any career may be a ways off for the seventh grader, den Dulk’s mother, Sheri den Dulk, said her daughter is already a better photographer than she is.

“She’s better technologically than I am, for sure,” Sheri den Dulk said.

To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2005.