Sigma accepting submissions through Feb. 28; high school students competing for $6,000 in cash and prizes

Ronkonkoma, NY, Feb. 16, 2011 – Time is running out for high school seniors to submit their applications for the Sigma Corporation of America scholarship contest, and vie for their chance to win $5,000 cash, and $1,000 in Sigma products.

Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is accepting entries for the company’s second annual Scholarship Contest through Feb. 28.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for budding photographers who are serious about pursuing a career in a photo-related field to help kick off their education,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The competition is heating up and we’re excited to see so many outstanding submissions.”

New applicants are invited to visit the Sigma Corporation of America website for contest rules and to complete an application form, which includes a brief essay and the submission of between three and five photographs that are thematically tied.

The Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship will award a cash gift of $5,000 and $1,000 in Sigma products to one talented high school senior to advance his or her education and goals toward pursuing higher education and, ultimately, obtaining a career in industries such as photography, photojournalism, graphic arts and design, visual arts and art history are eligible to apply.

Once the submission process closes, there will be an online public vote to determine the top five finalists from March 1 to April 1. Sigma executives will choose the contest winner from the group of finalists whose work will be judged based on creativity of subject selection, overall technique and, most importantly, image quality. Students are not required to use Sigma equipment to shoot the photographs they submit.

For information about the Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship, eligibility, the application process, material submissions and a formal list of contest rules, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/scholarship/