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Growing up in Mexico, Sol Dominguez cherished moments of play when they happened, mainly with her older brother, Alonso.

In February, [tweetable alt=””]one moment photographed years ago in black and white became an intriguing mix of colors[/tweetable] on her computer screen – and won her a first place prize in the process.

“The little boy is my brother, and I’m the little girl,” Dominguez said. “My father was always taking pictures of us.”

Dominguez, who lives in Canton with her mother and is hearing-impaired, took first place in the graphic design category of the Mississippi Community & Junior College Art Instructor’s Association State Art Competition earlier this semester. The winning piece was based on a photo of Alonso helping Sol, then a toddler, push a stroller across the family living room. Their father took the photo in 1973, she said.

“It is called “My Brother and Me”,” Dominguez said.

In all, seven students at ��«Ӱҵ took home awards in four categories at this year’s ceremony, held at Itawamba Community College in Fulton. The event site rotates among the state’s 15 community colleges each year.

Winners also included:

• Nicolette Davis, of Vicksburg, first place, photography, “Barbie-Q”
• T’Merius Bell, of Port Gibson, third place, printmaking, “Ursus Kingdom”
• Lindsey Pace, of Vicksburg, third place, photography, “Together”
• Tenisha Webber, of Jackson, third place, ceramics, “Aged Elegance”
• Mary Saphrona Grey, of Yazoo City, honorable mention, printmaking, “For Safe Keeping”
• Darla Schallenberger, of Richland, honorable mention, ceramics, “Corn Dog”

“It is a great opportunity for our art students,” said Melanie Atkinson, an art instructor at ��«Ӱҵ’ Raymond Campus and director of the art gallery on campus. “For most, it is the first time that any of their work has been presented and seen in a professional setting. It is also the students’ first real insight into all the work that goes on behind the scenes of a real art show. The learning experience for them is invaluable.”