2002 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton of Akron lost both his legs on the morning of December 7, 2001 after being pulled beneath a train while walking to school with his brother, Tony. A portion of the nearly 5,000 cards, letters and gifts sent during the first three weeks of his hospital stay hang from the walls in Leroy Sutton's room in the burn unit.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Her son's photo the newest addition to the gallery of the children treated at the burn unit at Akron Children's Hospital, Katrina Sutton deals with her emotions while waiting to see her son, Leroy.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy, his stumps healed enough to begin physical therapy, inspects the condition of his left leg while waiting to begin his excercises. The left leg, which was amputated below the knee, will help provide more stability with the artificial limb than the right, which was cut just below his hip.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Even with the high dosage of pain-killers, Leroy's life is filled with constant pain from his injury. The phantom pain is always with him daily. The stress and physical work of therapy three times a week adds to the discomfort.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A single mother of four, Katrina Sutton, now even more the center of her injured son's life, hugs Leroy while a doctor examines how well his stumps are healing in the burn unit at Akron Children's Hospital.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton peeks out from under a cloud of bubbles while taking a bath in the tub room in the burn unit at Akron Children's Hospital. Daily baths were needed to help heal and soften scar tissue and help skin grafts on Leroy's legs. Plus, he enjoyed taking bubble baths, one of the small pleasures in his life since the accident.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A nurse in the burn unit at Akron Childrens Hospital sneaks in one last show of affection while saying goodbye to Leroy Sutton as his six-week stay comes to an end and he prepares for his next hospital stay in Cleveland.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Alone for the moment in yet another hospital and worn out from his new therapy sessions and dealing with the pain, Leroy falls asleep in his room at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Facing another day of physical therapy and strange faces, Leroy gets an affectionate hug during a visit from his grandmother, Pat Sutton, during his stay at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

After two extended hospital stays, several operations, numerous physical and occupational therapy sessions, pain, loneliness and fear, Leroy Sutton cheers as he finally returns to his Akron home for the first time since the accident.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Spending his first day at home in a run-down house that isn't equipped to deal with his disability, Leroy sits in the family room while waiting to have lunch.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy, enjoying being back in his own room, talks on the phone with friend while his mother, Katrina, changes the dressing on one of his stumps on his second day home from the hospital since the accident.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton, faced with re-learning the simplest of everyday tasks, prepares to try and crawl down the stairs in his Akron home for the first time.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton, home for the first time after spending six weeks in the burn unit at Akron Children's Hospital, opens Christmas presents that had been waiting for him with his brother, Tony.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

While Leroy rests during a break in his physical therapy at Akron Children's Hospital, his sister, Keyaira, plays with a doll and a toy wheelchair.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton tries to endure the pain, a constant in his life since his accident and increasing harder to deal with as his pain medication is gradually lowered, while preparing to work at a therapy session at Akron Children's Hospital.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton, his body struggling to accept the unaccustomed physical strain of therapy, rests before continuing up an incline during a session designed to build upper body strength at Akron's Childrens Hospital.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton's wheelchair sits outside in the early morning light of his Akron home. Until he successfully learns how to walk with his prosthetic limbs on his own or with a walker, the wheelchair will be his constant companion.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Tired from struggling with his therapy and pain management, Leroy works with a tutor at his Akron home until he can return to a new school that can handle his disability.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Though still an 11-year old at heart, the weight and severity of his situation and the work that still must be done to help him get back to a normal life catches up with Leroy as he sits at home one afternoon.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Having given up her job since the accident and dealing with the unending stream of problems, paperwork and confusion in both her and Leroy's life since the accident, Katrina rests for a few minutes before moving on to the next task at hand in her family's life.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

His life already a confusing blur of new and sometimes painful events, Leroy Sutton makes his way down the hallway of a new school, Case Elementary, for the first time since his accident five months ago.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton (r) works on an assignment in Tracey Cason's fifth grade classroom during his first day of school at Anne T. Case Elementary school in Akron. It is the only school in the district that was wheel-chair accessable. It is Leroy's third school in less than a year.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton (right) begins to get to know one of his new fifth grade classmates while working on an assignment with Matthew Jones (left) during his first day of school at Anne T. Case Elementary school in Akron.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton (center) feeling a bit more relaxed in his news surroundings, shares a joke with his new schoolmates at lunch during his first day of school at Anne T. Case Elementary school in Akron.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Trying to find ways to battle the boredom of the endless waiting during constant hospitals stays, Leroy Sutton (l) and mother, Katrina (right) play video games while he waits to undergo another surgical procedure to remove scar tissue on his below-the-knee amputation at Akron Children's Hospital.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Katrina spends a quiet moment with he daughter, Keyaira, while waiting for Leroy to come out of anesthesia after his latest operation.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

While taking a break during a physical therapy session at Akron Children's Hospital, the little boy in Leroy Sutton emerges as he plays with an action figure while waiting.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton isn't quite sure what to think as he tries on the first of his prosthetic limbs during his initial fitting session at Cleveland Clinic's Hospital for Rehabilitation.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

With some shaky but determined help from his sister, Keyaira and his physical therapist, Jody Kreitburg, Leroy Sutton attempts to stand on the first of his artificial legs during a therapy session at Akron's Childrens Hospital.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Worn out from the days activity, Leroy falls asleep while playing a video game at his home in Akron.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Despite his lack of mobility, Leroy doesn't let that stop him from being part of his friends lives and activities. He joins in the conversations while laying at the front door of his Akron home while his friends hang out on the porch.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton's rehabilitation road is a family affair as his mother, Katrina and sister, Keyaira, pitch in to help him put on the first of his artificial legs while at home.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Despite preparing food, renting a hall and inviting a small army of friends and relatives, Leroy Sutton adds another small disappointment to his life as only a few people show up for a party celebrating his twelfth birthday in September.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Playfully covering his head with a coat, Karina Sutton has some fun with her son, Leroy, as they wait to start another therapy session at Children's Hospital in Akron.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton, no doubt wondering if he will someday be in the same position, stares at the artificial limbs of Dan Bowman after Bowman parachuted onto the Fox Den golf course in Stow during the Ken Venturi National Amputee and Junior Amputee Golf Tournament. Bowman, who lost his legs while jumping, specifically made time in his schedule to see Sutton and talk with him about his future and how to achieve it.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton, never one to hide his personality, flips his eyelids inside out, as he tries to get a laugh from his fellow classmates during their fifth grade graduation ceremony at Case Elementary school in Akron.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton gets a congratulatory hug from his sister, Keyaira, as he mother proudly inspects his "diploma" after he and his fifth grade class graduate from Case Elementary School in Akron.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton and his mother, Katrina spend a quiet moment together during a fitting session for Sutton's artificial legs at Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. The Norton company, responding similarly as many in the community have, is providing the prosthetic devices and its services at no cost to the Sutton family.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Trying to live as normal a life as possible, Leroy Sutton doesn't let the loss of his legs keep him from hopping out of his chair and enthusiastically dancing on the floor with his fellow classmates during the fifth grade class' annual skating party.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy and his fifth grade classmates from Case Elementary school can't resist mugging for the camera while attending the annual class roller skating party at Rocky's Skating Center in Tallmadge.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron Children's Hospital physical therapist Jody Kreitzburg and an associate grab a falling Leroy Sutton as he tries to stand for the first time on both his prosthetic legs.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton is greeted by visitors to the annual Holiday Tree Festival sponsored by Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron. Sutton, who was the guest of honor at the event, cut the ceremonial ribbon opening the festival to the public.

First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Wearing his artificial legs Leroy Sutton appears no different than any other 12-year-old boy as he hangs out in front of his Akron home with some of his neighborhood friends after school. Even though Sutton has begun to try walking with his legs using a walker, it has become a slow process for him and the family. Wearing the legs and using his wheelchair to get around will be the status quo in his life for quite some time yet.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Zanesville, Ohio. Each year, more than one million U.S. teens become pregnant.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Zanesville, Ohio. About one in seven Ohio infants is born to a teenager.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Athens, Ohio. The birth rate for teens in Ohio is higher than that in New York, California, or Pennsylvania.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Newark, Ohio. 36 of 2,000 students at Newark High School are currently enrolled in GRADS (Graduation, Reality, and Dual Role Skills Program). These students are most often criticized, and ostracized by their peers.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Janet McIntyre listens as GRADS teacher Linda James reads a childrens book. Students like Janet are urged to read to their children and keep a record of when, and what they read.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Heather Green, seven months pregnant, is interviewed by W.I.C. (Women Infants and Children) employees, dietician Treva Lambert (right), and nurse Pat Leslie (center). W.I.C. provides nutritious food, breastfeeding support and education to GRADS students at school so they don't have to miss class for appointments.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

GRADS student Shelby McGaughy experiences morning sickness in her first period class.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Joe Decard, 20, and Nicole Neagos, 17, play with their son Nicholas Decard, 19 months, on the farm recently inherited by Nicole's father. Nicole got pregnant in eighth grade, at age 15. Joe, her boyfriend, quit school to work and support his son, and is now attempting to get his G.E.D. Nicole recieves a large amount of support from her family, and credits having a child with saving her life from drugs and trouble. She says, "Some people say it sucks to have a kid because it just ruins your life, but that's not true. It's really helped my life."

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

In the arms of his 17-year-old mother, Nicholas holds his head where it has recently been bumped.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Nicole shows her stretch marks and caesarean section scar. The scar to the upper left was left after an appendectomy. Nicole had wanted to become a model before having Nicholas.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Nicholas waits for Nicole to retrieve his coat from the car on a cool morning. Every morning, Nicole wakes up at 5:30 am to prepare for school and take Nicholas to day care.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

During a trip to the doctor's office for an immunization and a checkup, Nicholas cries for his pacifier. He is teething which makes Nicole's goal of weening him from the pacifier exceptionally tough.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Andy Neagos, Nicole's dad, gets some help fixing his tractor from the young Nicholas. Nicole's family is very supportive in the raising of her son.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Nicholas tries to get his mother's attention while playing early in the morning.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Joe plays catch with his son in Nicole's bedroom after setting up the new firetruck bed.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Nicholas is all smiles when his mother gives him his pacifier.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

After getting sick, Shelby McGaughy is escorted to the school nurse's office by Nina Baldinger.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

GRADS teacher Linda James (left), Dale Kirk (center), and Nicole Neagos (right), make snacks for the day care center that uses the high school on weekends. As a service project, and application of their nutrition unit, the GRADS classes share the responsibilities of making and distributing the snacks.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Robyn Cain, a GRADS student, checks over her new apartment during a walk-through with her mother and brother. A new neighbor, Mariah Bennet, and her nephew Kyler Duston stopped by to welcome Robyn.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Alissa Matteson, 17, became pregnant with the child of Dale Kirk, 18, in February 2002. The two have stayed together as a couple and plan to marry after graduating high school. With the help of friends, family, and Ohio's GRADS Program they will learn to balance the responsibility, joy and frustration of being teenagers and parents. Alissa, just beginning her second trimester, and Dale prepare for their junior prom in May. At this stage, they feel that the pregnancy has strengthened their relationship.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Crystal Dewart, 17, (left) and Tiffany Bates, 17, (right) feel the kicks of Alissa Matteson’s baby. Alissa, 17, gave birth to her daughter, Madison Elizabeth Kirk three and a half weeks later on October 13, 2002, a week and a half premature.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Alissa and friend Tiffany walk behind the student section of stands at a Newark High School football game. Alissa is one of the few GRADS students at the school with a supportive core of family and friends.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

“Go into labor and they’ll let you go in,” jokes Dale Kirk, 18, Alissa’s fiancé and the father of her baby, during an especially long wait before one of her final visits to the obstetrician.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Alissa wears the engagement ring given to her by Dale. They plan to marry after they have both graduated from high school. While Alissa stays home from school to care for their daughter, she fears that Dale is flirting with another girl in her class.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Madison, in her first week, cries as Alissa changes her diaper.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Dale stops by Alissa's house between school and work to feed Madison, and drive Alissa and the baby to the doctor's office.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Dale watches TV while Alissa changes the Madison's diaper.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Alissa fixes her hair before she and Dale take the baby out to meet some friends. One month earlier, she told her friends that she would go back to wearing the same clothes, like this bare midriff shirt, that she wore before becoming pregnant.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

While visiting her parents’ bowling league, Alissa presents her daughter to Mary Dwiggins. During the first week after Madison’s birth she received a steady stream visitors and gifts from admiring relatives and friends.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Following the birth of her baby, Alissa is entitled to five hours a week of tutoring for six weeks before returning to school. Denise Wiley, a teacher at Newark High School, and Alissa’s home instructor, reads from “Of Mice and Men” during one of their sessions.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

Six weeks after giving birth to her daughter Apria Lynn Jones, Rio Conley returns to school. After her classes she stops in to introduce Apria to Pam Kemmenoe's Family and Consumer Sciences class.

Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - James M. Patterson / Ohio University

From Left; Dale Kirk, Shelby McGaughy, Nicole Neagos, Nina Baldinger, and Janet McIntyre, are congratulated by teacher Linda James at the year end banquet honoring the students' efforts throughout the year.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Camille Wagner kisses Michelle Stock, 26, on her 21st birthday while Mark Dunbar, 24, of Northside, sings a 'Go-Go's' song during karaoke night at Shirley's Bar in Clifton, February 3, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Ashleigh DuBois (right) jokes around with Amanda Williams (center) in the game room of the ESPY Boys & Girls Club on Glenway Ave. in Lower Price Hill, November 13, 2002. The club, smallest of the five in greater Cincinnati, has 300 members and any day of the week 90 children will show up for friendship and an evening meal.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Shortly after 7 pm each Thursday night, the St. Boniface School cafeteria in Northside, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, is packed with nearly 200 people. The people that are here each week come to unwind-and win! Peggy Gillen, of Miamitown, looks for the next number to be called as Danny Loveless, 11, of Camp Washington, watches the tv monitor in the non-smoking room at Saint Boniface Church in Northside, January 17, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Shortly after 7 pm each Thursday night, the St. Boniface School cafeteria in Northside, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, is packed with nearly 200 people. Bingo night at St. Boniface began 35 years ago and the church relies on the weekly game for 17 percent (roughly $70,000) of the church’s schools annual budget. The people that are here each week come to unwind-and win! Shinay Copeland, of College Hill, laughs with her friend Jazzmen Colbert, of Northside, at St. Boniface Bingo.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Bobbi Griffin, 30, of Forest Park has been coming to St. Boniface Bingo since she was 8 years old. She plays a game of tic-tac-toe with her daughter Tiffany, 6, while playing her bingo cards at Saint Boniface Church in Northside, January 24, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Vonnie Travis, of Golf Manor, keeps photos of her family near her while playing bingo at St. Boniface in Northside, January 10, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Shirley Phillips, of Western Hills, holds 13-day-old Lorenzo Campbell at St. Boniface Bingo in Northside, January 17, 2002. Lorenzo's mother, Tammy (not pictured), only had to miss one bingo week to have her son, but brought the baby to show off to friends as soon as she was able.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

The ESPY Boys and Girls Club serves the neighborhood of Lower Price Hill, which consists of lower income white Appalachian and African American families. Marcel Ross, 11, tries on his cousin's hat and gloves as Cary Drew, 12, and Tara Butler, 11, comment on his new look at the ESPY Boys & Girls Club on Glenway Ave. in Lower Price Hill, November 07, 2002. The club, smallest of the five in greater Cincinnati, has 300 members and any day of the week 90 children will show up for friendship and an evening meal.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Each morning at 5:00 a.m. Martha Walton waits on a small group of regular patrons at the Spare Time Grill on Route 27 in Alexandria, Kentucky.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Tim King, 29, of Milford, sizes up his first of two horseshoes during a game on league night at the OK Horseshoe Club in Queensgate, December 10, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

The Lord’s Gym has combined bodybuilding and Bible study since it opened nine years ago by the Foundation of Compassionate American Samaritans, a non-profit Christian group. The gym, located in a depressed urban neighborhood in Cincinnati has 150 members and four times a day the men stop working out for 30 minutes of bible study. Rodrick Miller, 31, of Coleraine Township and Bob Clarke, director of the men's program, break for a moment of prayer in between sets at the Lord's Gym on Liberty and Walnut Ave, April 4, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Jeff Famble, 43, of Avondale, does squat thrusts with a barbell on his back during a workout at the Lord's Gym on Liberty and Walnut Ave., April 4, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Rodrick Miller, 31, of Coleraine Township greets Christopher Rozier, 18, of Over-the-Rhine, during a workout at the Lord's Gym on Liberty and Walnut Ave., March 28, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Bob Clarke, director of the men's program, Keenan Robbison, 38, of Roselawn, and Rodrick Miller, 31, of Coleraine Township take a moment to pray for Greg Mapp, 29, (with yellow shirt) of Western Hills, outside, away for the noise, of the Lord's Gym on Liberty and Walnut Ave., March 28, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Rodrick Miller, 31, of Coleraine Township works his abdomen during a workout at the Lord's Gym on Liberty and Walnut Ave., April 4, 2002.

Third Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Steven M. Herppich / Cincinnati Enquirer

Aaron Jones, 27, of Corryville, wears a crucifix around his neck during a work out and bible study session at the Lord's Gym on Liberty and Walnut Ave., April 4, 2002.