Submitted Photo Thor Winn’s submission to the 2023 Air Force Photo Contest won second place under the category Traditional Photography, Pre-Teen 9-12.

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Thor Winn, a seventh-grade student at Memorial Middle School at Minot Air Force Base, earned a top-ranking win in the 2023 Air Force Photo Contest under the Traditional Photography, Pre-Teen 9-12 category.

Thor beat competitors from around the globe with his submission under 2023’s theme, “101 Days of Summer.”

Thor was born in South Carolina and has lived at three different air bases around the country. His family moved to Minot 4 ½ years ago where he has spent the longest duration of time.

The competition was open to all authorized patrons of Air Force morale, welfare and recreation programs including military members, civilians, retirees and their families.

Thor’s mother, Jennifer Winn, a technical sergeant with the 5th Medical Group, found out about the contest online last May and Thor found out last month he scored silver in his category.

“It feels really good, I just wasn’t expecting it,” Thor said.

Thor, who is now 13, said his love of photography sparked when his parents asked him to take photos of them on trips. From then on he took photos of things he thought were “cool” with his phone. He said he will continue to pursue photography as a hobby.

“Keep trying,” was the advice he said he would tell other young aspiring photographers.

According to a release from the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, second-place winners earned $400 online gift cards. Thor said he wasn’t sure what he would spend his earnings on.