Lisa DeJong of The Plain Dealer was a first place winner in the Feature Picture Story category of the Sixty-Sixth Annual Pictures of the Year International Competition. DeJong’s story, “Survivor’s Journey” won the James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award in the ONPA contest this year as well.
Emilio Morenatti of the Associated Press was named Photographer of the Year in the Missouri School of Journalism sponsored competition. David Guttenfelder of the Associated Press placed second and Andrea Bruce of The Washington Post placed third.
There were several other winners in the contest with Ohio ties. Former ONPA Student POY Katie Falkenberg placed first in the General Election category, second in Portrait and second in Campaign 2008 Picture Story.
Former ONPA member Matt Detrich won an award of excellence in the Olympic Action category and Ohio University student Matt Eich won the Community Awareness Award for his entry, “Carry Me Ohio” which looked at poverty in Southeastern Ohio.