The next time local grocery shoppers make a soda run to the closest Safeway or QFC, they might spot the visual art of a Port Townsend High School student.

As Zinnia Blatchley wrapped up her freshman year at PTHS, she also learned that she’d placed third in the Washington State High School Photography Contest, under the category of “animals,” for her snapshot of her cat, Ray, peeking his head out from a pile of leaves.

“My dad calls him ‘Sugar Ray Leonard,’ because he’s always hitting people,” Blatchley said.

Seattle-based Jones Soda company also selected her award-winning photo to appear on their soda bottle labels. Blatchley also won a $100 prize in the state high school photography contest, which is sponsored by Kenmore Camera.

David Egeler, a career and technical education media teacher for PTHS, noted that just 10 of the photos to receive awards in the contest are selected to appear on Jones Soda bottles.

While neither Egeler nor Blatchley know when Ray’s photo will grace local grocery shelves, she’s already received a six-pack with her cats face on the bottles from Jones Soda.

PTHS students have been entering the Kenmore Camera-sponsored contest since well before Egeler began teaching at the school five years ago — possibly as far back as the early 2000s — but Blatchley is the first PTHS student photographer to place as a finalist. At least as far as Egeler can find in the records.

He added that Blatchley’s photo is one of several shot by PTHS students to win or receive recognition at regional and statewide competitions this past school year.

“When Zinnia heard the news, her reaction was, ‘Really? I won?’” Egeler said. “I’m not sure she was very interested in photography at first, but she has a strong art background, with a keen eye for compelling visuals, especially for a freshman. I’d encourage her to continue with photography, but she’s still not sure what direction she’d like to take just yet.”

Blatchley agreed with Egeler that she’s been consistently surprised by her successes in photography. She regards as an enjoyable hobby, but asserted she’s not been especially inspired, since a number of her photos, including her winning picture of Ray, were merely captured in the moment.

“I didn’t think any of my photos were good enough to win prizes,” Blatchley said. “I started the season shooting on my phone.”

Egeler said he had a very talented pull of photography students this year, including four graduating seniors whose skills he considers “remarkable.”

“This year’s students were all so good that they were good for each other,” Egeler said, pushing beyond the inclination to put camera settings on automatic.

. “They looked at each other’s work, and talked about the photography work they were doing. They pushed each other to get to know their cameras better,” he said. “It really was a positive example of peer pressure, in that they elevated each other’s game.”