A Lancaster High School student’s photograph is being used to help promote the area to the business community. Junior Alexis Smith’s photograph of Fireman's Park was featured as part of the Lancaster Depew Elma Chamber of Commerce’s 2023-24 Business Directory.

“It’s definitely cool,” Alexis said. “I called my Mom when I found out.”

The photo, showing people gathering at a pavilion in the park, was taken by Alexis with a Canon Rebel T7 camera as she sat in the bed of her father’s truck. Alexis was a student in Photography I this past school year, a class she took after encouragement from her father, who had taken a similar class when he was in school.

“My interest just sparked from there,” she said. 

Allyson Demski, who teaches the class, said she was contacted by the Chamber asking for student photos of prominent local sites, and assigned different locations for students to visit. Of the photos she shared, Alexis’ photo was the one used in the publication. Ms. Demski said Alexis’ work has also appeared in an art show at Villa Maria College.

“It’s awesome to see her hard work pay off,” she said. 

Alexis, who also competes in varsity gymnastics, said her family encourages her to bring her camera with her wherever she goes. Alexis said she likes taking landscape photography, and that her favorite part of photography is getting to see different parts of the area. 

“It’s definitely a hobby now,” she said. 

The Chamber’s directory can be found at https://chambervu.com/lancaster23/.