SSI is proud to share that Seoyun Kong(G9) recently received an Honorable Mention in The New York Times Learning Network’s 2025–26 Local Lens Photo Essay Contest, an international competition that invites students to explore their local communities through photography and storytelling. 

Seoyun’s project, Between the Stones, focused on the stone walls of Jeju Island and the meaningful stories embedded within these familiar landscapes. While stone walls are an everyday part of life in Jeju, Seoyun sought to look beyond their ordinary appearance and uncover the memories, history, and human connections they quietly represent. 

Inspired by the belief that meaningful stories can be found in overlooked places, Seoyun chose to focus on a subject that many people pass by without a second glance. Rather than documenting well-known landmarks, she explored how everyday spaces can reflect the identity, culture, and lived experiences of a community. 

To develop her project, Seoyun walked through neighborhoods across Jeju, carefully observing and photographing stone walls while reflecting on the emotions and stories they evoked. She also researched their cultural and historical significance, combining visual storytelling with thoughtful written reflections. Through multiple rounds of revision, her work developed into a meaningful narrative connecting place, memory, and community. 

One of the greatest challenges was transforming a visually simple subject into a compelling story. Stone walls are often seen as quiet and ordinary parts of the landscape, which required Seoyun to observe more deeply and interpret more thoughtfully. By focusing on the human stories and emotional connections surrounding these spaces, she created a photo essay that revealed the significance hidden within everyday surroundings. 

Through this experience, Seoyun gained an important insight: meaningful stories do not always come from extraordinary places. Often, the smallest and most familiar details can offer the deepest understanding of a community and its people. Her project reflects the value of slowing down, observing carefully, and discovering new perspectives in places that might otherwise be overlooked. 

Receiving an Honorable Mention was both surprising and rewarding for Seoyun. With more than 1,400 students participating in the competition, she did not expect her project to be recognized among so many talented entries. The recognition was especially meaningful because Between the Stones focused on Jeju rather than a globally recognized city, showing that local stories can resonate with audiences far beyond their place of origin.

Seoyun’s achievement reflects the curiosity, creativity, and thoughtful perspective we encourage in our students at SSI. Through Between the Stones, she transformed an everyday feature of Jeju’s landscape into a meaningful exploration of memory, culture, and connection, reminding us that extraordinary stories can often be found in the most ordinary places.