2002 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Sharon Jackson (facing camera) comforts a member of the Northwestern H.S. band outside McGaw Chapel at the College of Wooster after a memorial service for her 14-year-old daughter, Kristen. Kristen, who was a member of the band, disappeared from the Wayne County Fair and was found murdered four days later.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Anthony C. Mignano sits with his eight-year-old son, Anthony F. Mignano. The eight-year-old boy, who had previously run away from his foster care family in Twinsburg after stealing a truck because he missed his father, ran away for a second time, this time on foot, to be with his father again.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Nervous and endlessly pacing in his Brunswick home, Chris Kodger talks about how he was molested by a Catholic priest when he was a young boy.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A blanket of newly fallen snow from a late March storm covers the parking lot at the Summit Mall in Fairlawn.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Kayla Keathley, a first grade student in the class of Sister Eleanor Wack at St. Matthew Elementary school in Akron, isn't happy about Wack's decision to retire after 50 years of teaching.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A single leaf displays it new autumn color against a crisp blue sky near the Fairlawn Country Club golf on W. Market St.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Curious ostriches walk toward the fence to check out visitors at the Aungst Ostrich Farm in York Township.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Tim Fitzwater worked in a car wash, played in a punk band and had a strongly political, anti-government stance before the 9/11 attacks. Now his view has changed and he has become more conservative in his views. The flag hanging in his room was hanging at his car wash the day of the attacks.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland catcher Einar Diaz makes a diving catch of a foul pop off the bat of Baltimore's second baseman Jerry Hairston during fourth inning action in the Indians game against the Orioles at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna watches at the right.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland wide receiver Kevin Johnson lets a fourth quarter pass slip from his grasp as did the game as the Browns lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on a last second field goal, 40-39, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

From left: Mel Bowsher, University of Akron head football coach Lee Owens and Ed Morrison react to Morrison just missing a birdie putt on the 16th green at Raintree Country Club in Green. Owens was one of many celebrity sports figures participating in the annual Northeast Ohio Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes charity golf fund raiser.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Photo illustration for story on upcoming Oscar presentations on March 24th.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Family members, friends and members of the police community watch as the casket of Massillon police officer Eric Taylor is transported by an honor guard for a memorial service at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron. Taylor was killed in the line of duty while making a routine traffic stop.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A photograph of slain Massillon police officer Eric Taylor is held by a member of the Massillon police force during his memorial service at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Family members watch as the casket of slain Massillon police officer Eric Taylor is transported by an honor guard for a memorial service at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A member of the police community fights with her emotions as she stands at attention during the playing of taps during a memorial service for slain Massillon police officer Eric Taylor at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

JuWanna Taylor, wife of slain Massillon police officer Eric Taylor, is presented the American flag that covered the casket of her husband during a memorial service at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A Massillon police officer kisses the casket of slain Massillon police officer Eric Taylor while paying his last respect after a memorial service at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A Massillon police officer wipes tears from his eyes after paying his last respect to slain Massillon police officer Eric Taylor after a memorial service at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - 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. While taking a break during one of his four weekly physical therapy sessions at Akron Children's Hospital, the little boy in Leroy Sutton emerges as he plays with an action figure while waiting to resume his exercises.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

A portion of the estimated 5,000 cards and gifts, received during the first two weeks since his accident, from friends and well-wishers hang on the wall of the room of Leroy Sutton at Akron Children's Hospital. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - 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. 11-year-old 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton endures the pain, now a constant in his life since the accident and more intense as his medication is slowly being lowered, while working during a therapy session at Akron Children's Hospital. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - 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 skin grafts on his stumps to heal and soften scar tissue. Maybe more importantly, he enjoyed taking the bubble baths. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Leroy Sutton's rehabilitation road soon became a family affair. Here his mother, Katrina and sister, Keyaira, pitch in to help him try and put on the first of his artificial legs while at home. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

His life already a tangled mix of new and confusing events and emotions, Leroy Sutton makes his way down the hallway of his new school, Case Elementary, for the first time since his accident five months ago. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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. Sutton was enrolled in this school because it is wheelchair accessible.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - 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 toy wheelchair.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - 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 travels around the country trying to inspire people in Leroy's situation. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

His life returning a bit to that of a normal 11-year-old, Leroy and his fifth grade classmates from Case Elementary school mug for the camera while attending the annual class roller skating party at Rocky's Skating Center in Tallmadge. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron Children's Hospital physical therapist Jody Kreitzburg (r) and an associate grab a falling Leroy Sutton as he tries to stand for the first time on both his prosthetic legs. The 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Wearing both his artificial legs and just wanting to fit in, Leroy Sutton (center) hangs out in front of his Akron home with some of his neighborhood friends after school. 11-year-old Akron boy 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.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighter Doug Price flexes his right tricep muscle to check on symmetry and muscle size between exercises. Price is a bodybuilder who has been training for the last year preparing for the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding Championship. It will be Price's first contest and his training will affect all aspects of his life such as work, eating, sleeping and his love life. He will also be competing against bodybuilders from all over the state of Ohio for the title of Mr. Canton.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighter Doug Price wears the strain of pushing hundreds of pounds of iron over and over on his face as he works out in the gym. Price is a bodybuilder who has been training for the last year preparing for the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding competition. It will be Price's first contest and he will be competing against bodybuilders from all over the state of Ohio.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighter Doug Price goes over his posing routine in the mirror one more time after finishing his workout. The two-minute routine will be the last opportunity for Price to present his physique to the judges. Price is a bodybuilder who has been training for the last year preparing for the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding competition. It will be Price's first contest and he will be competing against bodybuilders from all over the state of Ohio.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighter Doug Price has an after-workout "meal" of a powerbar and protein shake. He eats every two hours to keep his metabolism up and running during training but will cut back to only 500 calories a day during the final two weeks of his training. Price is a bodybuilder who has been training for the last year preparing for the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding competition. It will be Price's first contest and he will be competing against bodybuilders from all over the state of Ohio.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Training continues even at work. Two Akron firefighters play a video game as Doug Price does a cardio workout while on call at the station. The aerobic workouts help Price drop body fat and lets the muscle definition stand out against the skin. Price is a bodybuilder who has been training for the last year preparing for the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding competition. It will be Price's first contest and he will be competing against bodybuilders from all over the state of Ohio.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Bodybuilding is a solitary sport when it comes to training and diet. Akron firefighter Doug Price is alone with his thoughts as he rests between exercises at the gym. Price works out twice a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Price is a bodybuilder who has been training for the last year preparing for the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding competition. It will be Price's first contest and he will be competing against bodybuilders from all over the state of Ohio.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighter Doug Price, competing in the light heavy weight division of the 2002 Canton Body building championship, gets some help with his tan in the basement of his Akron home from his girlfriend, Rachel Croyle and good friend, Tom Olechnowicz. His tan was "painted" on several times during the day before the contest using an tanning product.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighter Doug Price, warming up backstage with his competitors, gets a good luck kiss from girlfriend Rachel Croyle before competing in light heavyweight division at the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding Championships at Timken H.S. in Canton. It will be his first bodybuilding competition.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

As an enthusiastic fan cheers him on, Akron firefighter Doug Price (right,) having won the light heavyweight division of the 2002 Canton Bodybuilding championship, competes in the final pose-down against the other divisions winners onstage at Timken H.S. in Canton. Price won the competition.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon Journal

The contest over and the title won, a fan reaches out to touch the light heavyweight trophy held by Akron firefighter Doug Price at the end of the 2002 Canton Body building championship at Timken H.S. in Canton. Price's Mr. Canton overall trophy is at left.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

A Massillon police officer and his wife who wished not to be identified embrace at the burial site of fallen comrade officer Eric Taylor after a burial ceremony August 16, 2002 at Mt. Peace Cemetery in Akron as hundreds of police officers from the state of Ohio paid tribute. Officer Eric Taylor,31, was with the Massillon police dept. for 4 years before being killed August 9 in a gun battle with Don Matthews in Massillon.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Joseph Messina,5, of Parma salutes as a group of US Marines march down Ridge Road in Parma May 18, 2002 during the Armed Forces Day Parade. Units from all branches of the military join veteran's groups to parade through Parma in honor of the 2 million members of the US armed forces.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Carl Lewis of Cleveland reflected in the side view mirror in his vehicle reaches out his window to toss a french fry to a nearby sea gull October 18, 2002 during his lunch break at the E. 55th Street pier in Cleveland.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Pilot Robert Odegaard of Kindred, North Dakota taxis his WWII P-51 Mustang with passenger Joe Salemi of Mayfield Heights in the back seat as a flock of pigeons are stirred up by the sound of the 12 cylinder engine at Burke Lakefront airport June 20, 2002 for a Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum sponsored pay to fly flight. Fans that want a flight in the P-51 can pay $750 for a half-hour ride over Lake Erie and experience the horsepower, handling and engine sound of the vintage fighter plane.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

The procession leaves the church with the casket of Rev. William Gulas after his funeral service in a time lapse photo December 13, 2002 at St. Stanislaus Church where he was a priest in Cleveland, December 13, 2002. The church was filled to capacity with several rows of standing patrons in the rear of the church to pay final respects to the father after he was shot to death December 7, 2002.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Phyllis Lehman,90, swims laps during the aquadames swim club April 18, 2002 at the Southland YWCA. The aquadames has been swimming together since 1956 where they swim laps, play water volleyball and socialize. Phyllis Lehman, 90, swims laps weekly at the Southland YWCA as a member of the Aqua Dames, a club founded in 1956. Most of the members are in their 70s and 80s.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

The Ohio Republican candidates gather on the stage are silhouetted behind a giant US flag November 5, 2002 after election results were final at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Muslim Ashley Bryant wearing her religious head covering July 11, 2002 during a rally at the Justice Center was supporting Aisha Samad who was made to appear in court without her head covering during her hearing. Aisha Samad requested to wear her scarf before entering a room with men, a Muslim faith practice, and was denied her request which outraged her husband and other Cleveland area Muslims who gathered to protest the situation.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Cleveland Browns receiver Dennis Northcutt celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens as back judge Perry Paganelli makes the TD call October 6, 2002 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Doug Parsons performs a scorpion in the best trick competition of freestyle motocross August 4, 2002 with a panoramic view of downtown Cleveland during the Gravity Games last day of competition. The freestyle motocross, the most attended spectator venue, was again packed to capacity to view the high flying stunts.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Alex Figge Toyota Atlantic car flips in the air on turn 1 as he was caught in heavy traffic negotiating the tight turn on lap 3 of the Cart Toyota Atlantic Championship race July 14, 2002 at Burke Lakefront Airport. Figge and racer Sepp Koster left the race with car damage after the collision.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

The tops of the spires of the Mormon Tabernacle in downtown Salt Lake City contrast the skater mural hanging from the Mormon administration building February 6, 2002 as the approach of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony. The compilation of images bring the sense of competition, beauty and action of the Winter Olympic Games.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Canadian luge slider Chris Moffat shoots through turn 15 in a crack of sunlight with the shadows of spectators watching the action February 11, 2002 during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games at the Utah Olympic Park site.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Italy's Walter Feichter skids to a stop spraying snow all around him as he turns to see the timer on his qualifying run in the men's parallel giant slalom snowboard February 14, 2002 at the Park City venue during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Walter did qualify in the 11th position for tomorrows medals run.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

German ski jumper Stephan Hocke soars through the air during the K120 qualifying jumps as a sold out crowd watches his flight February 12, 2002 during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games at the Utah Olympic Park venue. qualification jumps. Hocke qualified for today's finals.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Rick Mills, grounds supervisor at the Little America Grand Hotel, rakes fill dirt February 6, 2002 placed around the outside of the building near an enlarged mural of U.S. Olympic skater Michelle Kwan on his finishing touches of the property before the start of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

United States' Lea Ann Parsley celebrates her silver medal skeleton ride as fans hold their hands out for a high five February 20, 2002 at the Utah Olympic Park venue during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Russia's Irina Slutskaya spins with her skate up to her head in a time exposure photo during her short program February 19, 2002 at the Salt Lake Ice Center venue during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

United States' Todd Hays driver of the two-man bobsleigh team crosses his hands to get to the controls as teammate Garrett Hines gets seated behind him after their push off in heat 3 February 17, 2002 at the Utah Olympic Park venue site during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. The US team took fourth place in overall time standings.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

United States' Eric Bergoust falls on the landing of his gold medal freestyle aerial jump and finished in last place February 19, 2002 at the Deer Valley Resort venue during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. A clean landing would of assured Bergoust of a medal.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Great Britain's Alex Commber celebrates her bronze medal run in the women's skeleton February 20, 2002.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

U.S. Olympic team parades in Opening Ceremony of 2002 Winter Olympic Games February 8, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Jennifer Vinkler,13, of Mentor-on-the Lake (left) plays with her 5 year-old friend Carley Loporto who lives down the street in Jennifer's bedroom September 18, 2002 before her brain surgery to implant electrodes to decipher whether she will be a candidate for brain removal surgery to cure her epilepsy episodes. Jennifer's mental capacity has deteriorated because of her frequent seizures and relates to the younger Carley than kids her age.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

John and Pat Vinkler of Mentor-on-the-Lake with their oldest daughter Pam look at x-rays of the brain of their daughter Jennifer Vinkler ,13, as Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospiltal's epilepsy neurosurgeon specialist Dr. Dody Robinson explains a difficulty that interrupted the brain surgery on Jennifer. The Vinkler family waits in a room for Jennifer in the epilepsy unit where Dr. Robinson hopes to be able to remove the portion of her brain that is responsible for Jennifer's frequent epileptic seizures.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Jennifer Vinkler,13, of Mentor-on-the Lake takes a break from the mapping procedure which induced a couple of seizures that was painful and exhausting to her mentally and physically September 23, 2002 at Rainbows Babies and Childrens Hospital's epileptic center. Jennifer has electrodes implanted on the surface of her brain that will detect brain wave activity and map her waves for Dr. Monisha Goyal to interrupt to see if Jennifer is a candidate for brain removal surgery to cure her epileptic episodes.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

John Vinkler, Jennifer's father, and Dr. Monisha Goyal offer encouragement as Jennifer struggles to remember the color of the felt heart her doctor is holding. Her mother, Patty Vinkler, knew she would only cry during the procedure and stayed away from the hospital that day.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital's Dr. Dody Robinson's hand (right) sutures the lining of Jennifer Vinkler's cerebral cortex with the electrode implants the epilepsy team hopes will discover where the epileptic seizure epicenters are in Jennifer's brain September 21, 2002. Jennifer and her family hopes to be cured of her frequent epilepsy attacks by brain removal of the portion of the brain that is triggering the episodes. The electrodes will help map her brain waves to determine the exact portion of the brains seizure centers.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Dr. Monisha Goyal, a pediatric epilepsy neurosurgeon, (lower left) and her technician Sherry Nehamkin (lower right) eye the readout of Jennifer Vinkler's brain wave activity as surgeon Dr. Dody Robinson (top center), surgeon assistant Aleksy Lavery (left) and an unidentified intern who was watching the surgery wait for the results September 20, 2002 in the operating room at University Hospital'a Rainbow Babies and Children Hospitals.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Jennifer Vinkler slowly recovers from a seizure during the mapping procedure in the Epilepsy Unit at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Dr. Monisha Goyal holds Jennifer's hands to comfort her.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Jennifer Vinkler pulls her sister Pam down on her hospital bed after hearing the news that she will be unplugged from the mapping wires attached to her head so she can go play at the University Hospital. Jennifer is glad that the mapping tests are over and is unaware that Dr. Dody Robinson cannot perform the brain removal operation to stop her epileptic episodes. Jennifer's seizure epicenters were buried in her memory and linguistic portion of her brain and the brain removal surgery was too risky to perform.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Jennifer Vinkler, 13, (center) of Mentor-on-the-Lake throws rings with her brother Johnny as her older sister Pam mans the wheel chair during a games and crafts party in Rainbows Babies and Childrens Hospital at University Hospital for kids who are staying overnight September 25, 2002. Jennifer's seizure epicenters were buried in her memory and linguistic portion of her brain and the brain removal surgery was too risky.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer

Jennifer Vinkler, 13, of Mentor-on-the-Lake sits by herself in a waiting room chair at Dr. Dody Robinson's office October 10, 2002 at Rainbows Babies and Childrens Hospital while she waits for her father John to finish paperwork and schedule another appointment for Jennifer after getting her stitches removed. Jennifer's seizure epicenters were buried in her memory and linguistic portion of her brain and the brain removal surgery was too risky for Dr. Robinson to perform.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Firefighters rush to the scene of a gas eruption on Libbey Rd. near Broadway in Maple Hts. March 11, 2002. Construction crews ruptured a gas line that ignited.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Monica Hoyle wipes away a tear at the scene of a fatal shooting on Cleveland's West Side, Aug. 27, 2002. Hoyle's brother, Malcolm Hoyle, 16, was shot in face but survived. Another passenger was shot and killed in the incident.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Homeless man William Pace, 40, eats dinner at Thy Bounty Christmas party on Public Square, Dec. 13, 2002 in Cleveland. Thy Bounty is staffed by volunteers who, twice a week, go out to feed and clothe the homeless.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Dorothy Mikula, 76, left, a parishoner at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, tears up during candlelight vigil Dec. 9, 2002 in Cleveland. The vigil was held in memory of Rev. William Gulas who was found murdered in the church rectory.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

It was standing-room-only in Parma City Council chambers with the overflow standing outside crowding the doorways March 17, 2002. On the council's agenda was the cutting of services, including laying off safety employees, closing swimming pools, and eliminating little league baseball.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Waves from Lake Erie, pushed by strong north winds, sent geysers 40 feet high when they hit the shore at the state park at E.55th St. in Cleveland.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Blind twins Bruce and Bryan Tegowski follow Tops employee Pete Cieckiewicz through the store Jan 23, 2002, Parma.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A man holds his baby while praying at the Western Wall in the the Old City of Jerusalem, Oct. 25, 2002.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Cleveland Schools Superintendent Barbara Byrd-Bennett introduces herself to Grace Nicole White, 4, as her mother, Barbara White, looks on Aug. 29, 2002 in Cleveland. Grace was touring Daniel E. Morgan Elementary School with her mother and will take the placement test to enter the Child Development Class for 4 year olds which begins in September.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A fallen leaf, a car engine that leaks oil, and Monday's rain comprise a study in color in the parking lot behind the West Side Market Aug. 19, 2002 in Cleveland.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

St. Peter Chanel's Frank Laney-Igess (3) gets wrapped up in the banner as the team takes the field before Friday night's game against Archbishop Hoban High School at Ripp Field, Bedford, Sept. 6, 2002.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

The southern shore of Lake Erie is along a major migratory route for many species of birds. A group of state and local wildlife officials as well as dedicated volunteers count and band the birds each spring. Black Swamp volunteers as well as personnel from Ottawa Wildlife Refuge and Crane Creek State Park paddle ashore to the beach Monday, June 17, 2002, on West Sister Island, Ohio in the western basin of Lake Erie. The island is a designated bird sanctuary, off limits to the public.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A herring gull hovers over Ohio Div. of Wildlife intern Chris Riddle as he walks the gravel beach June 17, 2002, on West Sister Island in the western basin of Lake Erie. He is looking to catch young herring gulls for banding.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A young great white egret peers down from its nest June 17, 2002, on West Sister Island in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Black Swamp volunteer Julie Shieldcastle, grabs a young great white egret by the legs as it is perched on its nest June 17, 2002, on West Sister Island in the western basin of Lake Erie. She was part of a team that went to the island to capture and band young egrets, herons and seagulls.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A feather lights atop the cap of Black Swamp volunteer Kim Fredritz, of Carey, June 17, 2002, on West Sister Island in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Black Swamp volunteer Julie Shieldcastle holds warblers just taken from the nets. They will be tagged, weighed and measured and released.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Bill Rinehart, of Bloomdale, holds a bag of birds taken from the nets May 13, 2002, in Ottawa County.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Black Swamp volunteer Mark Shieldcastle records the vital statistics of the warbler he holds in his hand May 13, 2002, in Ottawa County.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Black Swamp volunteers hike back to camp after checking nets May 13, 2002 in Ottawa County.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Members Estelle Williams and John Spicer smoke outside of Magnolia Clubhouse. Magnolia Clubhouse is a psychosocial therapeutic program for people with a serious mental illness. It is a daytime program that serves as a social center, employment office, and training center. One of the aims is to alleviate the isolation their members would otherwise experience.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Marilyn Vanek and Jan Browns attend a meeting at Magnolia Clubhouse. Members are encouraged to take an active part in setting the clubhouse's agenda.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Sanford Spivey laughs while hanging out in the clubhouse coffee shop with other members. The coffee shop is their main gathering place.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Magnolia Clubhouse member John Hammond studies the computer screen while writing a script for that day's in house news broadcast which is produced by the members.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Michael Gibbons listens to headphones at Magnolia Clubhouse.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Derrick Glover sweeps at Magnolia Clubhouse. Members tackle the daily chores such as housecleaning and working in the kitchen. Even simple tasks can be challenging for people with a serious mental illness.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Magnolia Clubhouse members Tyrone Jones and Peggy Arndt hang out in the clubhouse coffee shop. Despite being surrounded by other members, a diminished ability to communicate because of the illness, can often keep members isolated.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

John Spicer smokes outside of Magnolia Clubhouse. Smoking is a common activity among clubhouse members.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Magnolia Clubhouse member George Morton paces outside on the front steps.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all claim the biblical Abraham. These three religions have had many past conflicts but all three look to God for peace and justice. In spite of the recent conflict between Israel and the Palestinians life goes on for this Jewish Orthodox family in the Old City section of Jerusalem.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Zena Assaad plays with sister Hanna as Lena finishes sundown prayers in their Lakewood, Ohio home on the first day of the Muslim holiday, Ramadan.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Tangela Adams, of Cleveland, worships in a packed house at the Mega Church on Palm Sunday, Mar. 24, 2002, on Cleveland's West Side.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Program director Cliff Barrows leads a 4,000 voice volunteer choir during the opening night of the Billy Graham Crusade Thursday night in Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A man wears a handgun while praying at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, Oct. 25, 2002, Israel.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

American kids attend vigil at World Youth Day before a mass with Pope John Paul II, Toronto, Canada, July 27, 2002.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A man reads a prayer book in the Islamic Center of Cleveland on the first day of Ramadon.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

An man prays at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem Friday, Oct. 25, 2002, Jerusalem Israel.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

Postulant Sarah Kittson, 24, kneels in prayer during the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, July 24, 2002.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer

A man prays at the Islamic Center of Cleveland on the first day of Ramadon.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Under the ever-present spector of the American Electric Power Company's Gen. James M. Gavin Plant, two girls swing in the town park in Cheshire. The town and it's memories will all soon vanish as the problem polluter is in the process of buying up the entire community, and Cheshire will cease to exist.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

A businessman reads the morning paper under the shadow of a shrine at Tapgol Park in Seoul, South Korea on June 25, 2002. A peaceful respite in the bustling city, the park is dotted with towering shade trees and a number of historic structures and statues.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Exhausted from a long day in the ring, golden retriever Riggs sacks out with his co-breeders, from left, Andrene Mate-Schabel of Valley City, and Peg Burlett of Wadsworth, as they watch others compete in the 4-day Crown Classic Dog Show in Cleveland on Dec. 13, 2002

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Two amish girls walk home from school on a snowy afternoon in Mesopotamia on Jan. 7, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Women short track speed skaters workout during a practice session for the Winter Olympic Games at the Salt Lake Ice Sports Complex in Salt Lake City on Feb. 9, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Cleveland Browns cornerback Corey Fuller (25) breaks up a pass intended for Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad during their game in Cleveland on Dec. 1, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Aliona Savchenko and Stanislav Morozov of the Ukraine compete in the pairs short program during the Winter Olympics at the Salt Lake Ice Center in Salt Lake City, Feb. 9, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

James Blake of the United States serves to Australia's Lleyton Hewitt Aug. 31, 2002, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

USA captain Claudio Reyna waves to the crowd as he walks of the field wrapped in an American flag after the US team lost its quarterfinal match to Germany at the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Ulsan, South Korea on June 21, 2002. The game dropped the US from the competition.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Sarah Hughes of the U.S. receives the gold medal from former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, as bronze medalist Michelle Kwan looks on, after winning the women's figure skating title at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Feb. 21, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

New England Patriots' kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, Feb. 3, 2002 in New Orleans. At left is teammate Ken Walters.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Referee Hugh Dallas of Scotland (left) gestures past Portugal striker Luis Figo under heavy rain during the 2002 World Cup Group D soccer match between Poland and Portugal at the Jeonju World Cup stadium in Jeonju, South Korea, June 10, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

A year after the attacks on the World Trade Center, life goes on in New York, though the city still bears the scars of the tragedy. A ceremony held at ground zero was held to honor the victims and heal the wounds of the living. A tattered American flag covers the window of a doorway in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, New York, Aug. 4, 2002. The displaying of American flags increased greatly throughout the city following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Against the skyline of lower Manhattan, where the World Trade Center towers once stood, people stroll the Brooklyn promenade, Aug. 5, 2002. The small wreath hanging on fence is in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Construction workers inside the shell of the World Trade Center stand as a moment of silence is observed at 8:46am at ground zero as the ceremony begins marking the one year anniversary of the attacks the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

In the footprint of the fallen towers, mourners of victims of the attack on the World Trade Center honor their loved ones at a ceremony marking the one year anniversary of the attacks at ground zero in New York on Sept. 11, 2002

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

In the footprint of the fallen towers, mourners of victims of the attack on the World Trade Center leave flowers and remembrances as they honor their loved ones at a ceremony marking the one year anniversary of the attacks at ground zero in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

In the footprint of the fallen towers, rescue workers mourn victims of the attack on the World Trade Center during a ceremony marking the one year anniversary of the attacks at ground zero in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Mourners of victims of the attack on the World Trade Center listen to a bugler play taps at a ceremony at ground zero marking the one year anniversary of the attacks in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Mourners of victims of the attack on the World Trade Center reflect, salute, and comfort each other as they listen to the playing of taps during ground zero ceremonies marking the one year anniversary of the attack in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

In the footprint of the fallen towers, mourners of victims of the attack on the World Trade Center gather together away from the main ceremony to honor their loved ones at services marking the one year anniversary of the attacks at ground zero in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

A police officer pays his respects at the ring of remembrances at ground zero during the ceremony marking the one year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

A young boy and a man carry flowers in the footprint of the World Trade Center towers during ceremonies marking the one year anniversary of the attacks at ground zero in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

At ground zero of the fallen World Trade Center towers, a lone police officer sits amid the rubble during a ceremony marking the one year anniversary of the attacks in New York on Sept. 11, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Suffering from a budget shortage, AMTRAK last year considered cutting it's cross country train routes. I rode the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco to try to show what a loss that would be. Conductor Mike Tuck waits amid the mist for the last passengers to board the California Zephyr at Union Station in Chicago on April 22, 2002. The Zephyr begins its 2438 miles journey west to Emoryville, Ca., from Chicago.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

The view from the California Zephyr's observation car for passengers John S. Yoder and his wife Anna is temporarily jarred by a passing freight train near Princeton, Ill. on April 22, 2002. The Amish couple were traveling from Wooster, Ohio to Nebraska for John to see a recommended chiropractor.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Enjoying the view from the sightseer lounge car, John Weimers plays with his granddaughter Raven Elizabeth Stoneking as the Zephyr approaches McCook, Neb. on April 24, 2002. Weimers and his family were traveling from Knoxville, Ill. to Provo, Utah for his daughter's wedding.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Farms quickly pass by the windows of the California Zephyr as it cuts across the farmland and approaches Ottumwa, Iowa on April 22, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Maegan Lee Andrezejewski , 20, kisses her fiancee Rodney Baker, 24, after debarking from the California Zephyr in Ottumwa, Iowa on April 22, 2002. The two-day trip to on the train to visit her aunt in Illinois was Maegan's first time away from Rodney since their 7-month engagement. When the train pulled into the station, Maegan exclaimed with delight "I'm home! I'm home! I'm home!"

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Passengers wait as the westbound California Zephyr pulls into the station in Ottumwa, Iowa on the night of April 23, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Sue Thomas of Chicago, left, and Donna Youmans, of Clearwater, Fl., laugh as they challenge eachother over a Scrabble word in the lounge car of the California Zephyr near Alta, Ca. on April 27, 2002. Thomas, traveling with two old friends, met Youmans, who was traveling with her husband, and the four women became gaming partners on the trip.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Passenger Tony Le relaxes through the Rockies near Parshall, Co. on his way home to Sacramento aboard the California Zephyr on April 24, 2002. Le had taken through train through Chicago to Shreveport, La. to visit friends.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

From left, Kenji Nakamura of New York, and married couple Mitsuyo and Toshihiko Fujita, of Washington, D.C., check their route guide and the time on April 26, 2002 as the California Zephyr makes a stop in Winnemucca, Nevada. The Fujita's were traveling all around the country by rail before their 9-month visas ran out and they had to return to Japan.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

From inside her sleeper car, Sylvia Lawrie of Wayne, Pa. looks out at the fields and a passing freight train near Culbertson, Neb. on April 24, 2002. Culbertson and her husband took a train from Paoli, Pa. to Chicago before catching the Zephyr for their trip to San Francisco to attend their nephew's wedding.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Amid a rain and hail storm, the westbound California Zephry begins its ascent of the Sierra Nevadas in Farad, Ca. on April 26, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Amy Sancetta / Associated Press

Sleeper car attendant Julius Hawkins hops off the train for a short stop in McCook, Neb. on April 24, 2002.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gathered enmasse to protest the hiring by a neighboring community of former Cincinnati Police officer Stephen Roach, activists stomp on a faux wanted poster of the exonerated officer. Roach was charged and acquitted in the wrongful death of Timothy Thomas that resulted in months of racial unrest in Cincinnati.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Jason Minton cries as he is told his "best friend" died while trying to rescue a young girl from an early morning house fire. Minton arived on the scene about two hours after the fire was under control.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati Police officers, accused of abusive behavior against African American males, tell a joke in the background as protestors gather at the police memorial to remember Timothy Thomas and Roger Owensby, Jr.. The two were among several black males that died from gunshots and/or alleged abuse while in police custody.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Charlene Sizemore (right) comforts her granddaughter Cheynne Murphy, 6,vas they talk about Cheyenne's mother Stephanie Brewer, who along with her husband Gary Brewer, were killed in an auto accident. The Brewers, newlyweds, left behind five children between them.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan (left) lectures black activist Nate Livingston about Livingston's attack on Hagan's civil rights record. Hagan, a long-time Kennedy family friend, has a strong record of supporting civil rights and called Livingston out for his verbal attack.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Sarah Sessions belts out a show tune while cleaning the toilets of a local theater company. Performers work in all aspects of the theater including food prep, waiting tables, performing and even cleaning the toilets.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

As storm clouds gather in the background a boy with sled in tow climbs a hill for the final run of the day.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Three Mennonite girls return to their sand sculpture to add finishing touches.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Retiring State Senate President Richard Finan (center) greets a banking lobbyist in the gallery outside the Statehouse Senate chamber. Another lobbyist awaits his chance to press the flesh.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Brian Sweeney uses a bit of body English in an unsuccessful attempt to coax the ball into the hole during a
Belterra Casion golf tournament.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Sean Casey is welcomed at home plate after belting a game winning homer for the Cincinnati Reds.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Children's author John Fleischman wrote a children's science book about the interesting case of Phineas Gage. Gage suffered severe injury, but survived, when an iron spike was rammed through his skull and out of his lower jaw. A scientific marvel, Gage's skull has been a source of study for over a century. Fleischman face and Gage's skull are combined in a single image.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

A pigeon struggles to live after falling ill. The time waiting to die on the sidewalk is painful to watch until a small child and her mother and sister arrive. They offer comfort to the pigeon, sometimes called "flying rats" by city dwellers and place him in a building alcove inside a box to die a dignified death. A pigeon struggle to keep its balance after falling ill and awaiting death on the sidewalk.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

A pigeon sits on the sidewalk unable to fly as tow girls and their mother approach.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

A little girls reaches down to stroke the pigeon in a gesture of comfort to a struggling pigeon.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The ailing pigeon is gentle lifted and placed inside a cardboard box for safekeeping. The dying bird cannot fly and struggles to walk.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The pigeon looks up from its new dwelling in the corner of a building alcove out os the weather and direct public view. The passersby hoped a dignified death would come soon.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The Good Samaritans go on their way content in the knowledge that they at least tried to comfort a dying pigeon.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Students at St Peter Claver school are offered unique experiences of a private school without leaving the urban area in which they live. A small student population is specially selected after interviews with parents and students and scholarships are offered. The intent is to give children from poor economic backgrounds a better chance of success. Students are led by teachers across Main St. in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine area to a nearby playground for recess.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Even the tiniest of hands are encouraged to express themselves. Peter Claver Latin School student Malik McCrary's tiny hand is steadied by teacher Sarah Parnitzke as he writes numbers on the board.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Prayer is a staple of Catholic schools and even the young students are expected to participate. Camilo Rincon says a morning prayer in the classroom. The students say a short prayer several times a day.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Fun is encouraged as a teaching tool. These students seldom win at anything in life and even a game of musical chairs can be an uplifting motivator and a reason to celebrate heartily. Zaier Dudley (center) reacts as he wins a game of musical chairs. The last student standing (right) is Montinez Humphrey. Students Camilo Rincon (left front) and Jamario McKenzie (left rear) had already been eliminated and watched quietly.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Antwan Smith practices guitar. Teacher Sarah Parnitzke taught several students to play the guitar. Offering unique experiences to students helps them gain confidence and fosters pride in their ability.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Peter Claver Latin School students Zaier Dudley (left) and Julian Myers fell asleep while attending mass at Old St. Mary's Church next to the school. Teacher Nancy Bitter said, "We work them pretty hard, they eat lunch and then go to Mass. They're quiet for a little while and then they sometimes drift off to sleep."

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Teacher Nancy Bitter uses cool water to soothe the "itchy" foot of student Karim Laury. It was believed to be a bug bite. It was distracting Karim and Ms. Bitter's attentiveness seemed to lessen his distraction.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

First grader Karim Laury gives teacher Nancy Bitter a hug. Said Ms. Bitter, "After my husband passed away I know I'll get all the hugs I need here (at school) everyday."

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Number 14, painted on the dirt of the pitcher's mound, signified the absence of Pete Rose, banned from baseball, during the final game of the Cincinnati Reds regular season. Rose would have his own special night 24 hours later, before a sellout celebrity softball game in the old Riverfront Stadium. Members of the Reds teams from the past gathered on the field...Number 14 is remembered in spray paint in the dirt of the pitcher's mound.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Pete Rose is ushered into the stadium under police escort. Someone in the crowd noted that "Rose hadn't been under the protection of so many cops since he was incarcerated for tax evasion" a decade earlier.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Vanity plates from a fans car call for Rose's presence in the Hall of Fame. Passions toward Rose run high throughout the Cincinnati region.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

It is said that Rose will sign anything for a price. He signs t-shirts purchased by a group of youths prior to the celebrity softball game. Pete got a cut from the proceeds from the sale of the shirts.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Pete Rose is greeted heartily by old members of the Big Red Machine during introductions.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Time takes a toll physically and emotionally as Rose and other members of the Big Red Machine join in The National Anthem. Johnny Bench, often critical of Rose's off field activities, distanced himself from Rose during the introductions.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Former teammate Mike Schmidt, playing third base in the celebrity softball game, breaks into a smile as Pete Rose falls short while attempting his trademark head first slide in the base.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The crouching stance and the quick bat long gone, Rose took aim on an oversized softball and stroked it for a single much to the crowd's delight.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Rose, now a caricature of himself, is immortalized in bobblehead fashion. A prized possession of fans...especially with fake nails and flashy diamonds.