First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerIt would be all too easy for young burn victims to live life in the shadows. Burn Camp helps them build confidence to face the world. Mallory Horne, 10, gets reacquainted with her father, Larry, after the bus arrived at MetroHealth from Camp Christopher, August 29, 2004.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerChrissy Aitken, 15, and Tashawna Walthauw, 13, splash each other while playing in the water at Geauga Lake/Six Flags, August 26, 2004.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerAn undaunted Chad Parker, 17, makes his way through the water while catching wayward glances from others at Geauga Lake.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerChad Parker, 17, daydreams while a camp counselor finishes sweeping out the cabin at Camp Christopher, August 29, 2004.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerOlivia Peterson, 17, plays a game of guess who with Vedez Gilcrease, 16, before leaving Camp Christoper, August 29, 2004.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerChad Parker, 17, makes his way up the pole to the high ropes course at Camp Christopher, August 28, 2004.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerHerbie Jones joins in a four person clapping game during a rainy night, August 28, 2004, at Camp Christopher.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerCasarra Muhammad, 16, gets a ride from Olivia Peterson, 17, at Camp Christopher, August 27, 2004.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerLouie Polgar, 13, (right) and Chad Parker, 17, pack their belongings on the final day at Camp Christopher, August 29, 2004.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus Dispatch
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchNow that leukemia has snuck back into Abbie Dunn's body after a five-year hiatus, she faces two years of a treatment regimen that has her constantly in and out of the hospital. Her treatment requires weekly trips to Children's Hospital for chemotherapy, spinal taps or three-day hospital stays. Abbie Dunn endures another long day at Children's Hospital as she receives blood platelets necessary for a spinal tap she will be given later in the afternoon.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchAbbie's mom, Sherrie, watches as nurse practitioner Carla Hughes examines Abbie.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchAbbie holds onto her father Larry's hand as she is taken to surgery to have a spinal tap.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchSherrie comforts Abbie during an extended stay at Children's Hospital. Abbie said she wasn't feeling well.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchAbbie (right) and classmate Ellen Leslie put their coats back in their lockers after recess at Ridgedale Elementary School. Abbie was visiting her class for the day.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchFriend Ellen Leslie tries to put Abbie's shoe back on as Abbie swings at her school.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchCheryl Kuzio (right) tutors Abbie in Abbie's bedroom. Kuzio was Abbie's 3rd-grade teacher and now comes to the Dunn home for her 4th-grade studies.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchAbbie takes her brother Luke out of his crib after he awoke from a nap. At left is her little sister Leanna.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchRadiation therapists Georgia Pick (left) and Valerie Niederkohr prepare Abbie for a radiation treatment at James Cancer Hospital. Abbie is wearing a mask which keeps her head immobilized during the treatment.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchSherrie holds Abbie's hand as nurse Linda Grooms draws blood at Children's Hospital.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchAbbie gets a kiss from her mom, Sherrie, as they pack up Abbie's birthday gifts after her party at Godfather's Pizza in Marion. Abbie turned 11.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchAbbie, playing UNO in her home, faces another year of treatment.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio University
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversitySpray-painted in thick black letters onto the wall of a trailer the word ‘HELP’ greets you has you enter Pine-Aire Village. This is the story of Brittany, Anthony, Chris, Andy, Sonya, Christine and Elijah - just some of the children of Pine-Aire Village. Christine watches her brothers outside her home.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityDespite living in poverty and being involved with alcohol and drugs - on the surface these kids still do what kids everywhere do: play.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityIt is a weekday afternoon and Christine’s jobless mother and stepfather look on as George – a stray dog that has made his home with the family – attacks her with licks.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityElijah has the chicken pox and is under his young sisters care while his parents are at work.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio University"He's my favorite," says Christine, holding her yard sale purchase: a laminated poster of Dale Earnhardt's last lap before his death.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityAfter a long day at work Tara Reid can't seem to move from the couch to control the chaos in their home. "I don't live here because I want to, I live here because I have to," she says.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityGreg works the night shift at a nearby gas station. Fatherhood duties, however, keep him from sleeping during the day. While his wife readies his eldest daughter for a local beauty pageant - he has to look after his youngest child.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversitySonja and her step father fight on a Sunday afternoon.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityBrittany hugs her grandfather and begs for $2 to spend at a neighbouring yard sale.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Samantha Reinders / Ohio UniversityChris bows his dizzy head after chewing tobacco. "It makes me feel spacey ... I even do it at school," he says. Just weeks after this photograph was taken Chris decided to drop out of school all together.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerAfter nearly eight decades of faith-based teaching, St. Christine School closed it's doors for good this year. Allison Insana takes communion during the final mass at St. Christine School, June 4, 2004.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerDan Kever puts up the sign in front of St. Christine School on the day of graduation, June 2, 2004. The school was graduating their kindergarteners in the morning and the eighth graders during an evening mass.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerPauline Miller follows her second grade class over to the church as they head over to the school's final mass and awards ceremony, June 4, 2004.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerAlex Vertosnik (right) talks with classmate Cassie Carlo before the kindergarten graduation at St. Christine, June 2, 2004. St. Christine School closed it's doors for good after the school year.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerParents gather around for pictures as kindergarten teacher Susan Johnson opens gifts after graduation ceremonies, June 2, 2004. Johnson has been a teacher at St. Christine School for the past 25 years. The school officially closed it's doors on June 4th.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerPauline Miller packs up her desk for the final time, June 8, 2004. Miller was watching Martha Stewart while packing up her room.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerSusan Johnson gets a hug from Anne Marie Fiorello on the last day of school for St. Christine School, June 4, 2004. St. Christine closed their doors for good at the end of the school year.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerPauline Miller loads her car for the final time, June 9, 2004. Miller, a second grade teacher at St. Christine School, taught at the school for 28 years.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Gus Chan / The Plain DealerDan Kever, custodian at St. Christine School, lowers the statue of Jesus from it's perch, June 10, 2004. The school officially closed on June 4, 2004, but school staff stayed on to pack up classrooms and sell off the remainder of the school items.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain Dealer
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerKristin Kretzler was a 20-year-old student at Kent State University. She was a dancer in the Penthouse Club in the Flats and wanted to be an actress. Then her National Guard unit was ordered to mobilize for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerKristin Kretzler (center) talks to another student and informs him of her duties as an Army Reserve. This was her final sociology class of the semester before her active duty with Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company. She will train and prepare to fight the war on terrorism for 18 months. Kretzler signed up in the Army Reserve March 2001 to help pay her college education.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerKristin Kretzler is a country music fan and the Boot and Scoot'n Saloon is her favorite place to line dance. The night before she departed with her unit, 1484th Transportation Company of the Ohio Army National Guard, she celebrated with friends and dance one more time as a civilian. She stayed until the club closed its doors.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerKristin Kretzler meets with her family at her mother's home where a send-off party was held in her honor before she departed the following morning to train and prepare with the Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company to fight the war on terrorism. Kristin's cousins (left) Kaysha Carter, and Jamie Carter (rear) visited from Moundsville, West Virginia. Kristin's step-mother, Jackie Kretzler visited from Oakdale, Pennsylvania.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain Dealer"I really wanted for her to see the doctor for a final check before she leaves," said Michelle Morris (left) Kristin Kretzler's mother. They wait in the lobby of obstetrics and gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic. Kretzler is a transportation specialist in the Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company. Her unit is currently training and preparing to fight the war on terrorism. She will be deployed to the Middle East after her final training in Indiana.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerKristin Kretzler hugs her mother, Michelle Morris one last time before departing the following day to join her fellow soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company. Kristin's mother held a send-off party in her honor where close family friends and family members wished her well and said their good-byes.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerSpc. Kristin Kretzler (center) joins her unit, Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company at Firestone High School at an official deployment ceremony before their departure for training and preparation to fight the war on terrorism. Kretzler joined the National Guard March 2001 to help pay her college education. She never thought she would have to go to war for her country.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerSpc. Kristin Kretzler (right) says she is not a fan of military food. However, she does take advantage of the lunch break during her weekend drill assignment on a Saturday afternoon. Next to her is Spc. Tiffani Good of Akron. Kretzler is with the Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company. The company will train and prepare to go to the Middle East where they will receive their next assignment to fight in the war on terrorism.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain Dealer"I got home last night and I threw everything inside. I have two plastic containers and two duffle bags packed for the trip," said Spc. Kristin Kretzler (right) who is with the Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company. The unit is training to prepare their assignment to active duty in the Middle East to fight the war on terrorism.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerSpc. Kristin Kretzler drives a five-ton truck Monday, January 5, 2004 with the Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company on their deployment assignment to Indiana where they will train and prepare for approximately five weeks before they go to the Middle East to fight the war on terrorism.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerSpc. Kristin Kretzler (center) joins her unit, Ohio Army National Guard 1484th Transportation Company at the unit's headquarters the morning of their deployment. The company met at 5:00 a.m. to prepare for their trip, first to Indiana, to train for approximately five weeks before leaving for the Middle East and joined the U.S. military forces fighting the war on terrorism. Kretzler is trained to drive and maintained a five-ton Army truck used to transport military equipment and supplies to fighting forces.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerA rare, intimate look inside the modern-day Nation of Islam. Forty-one years after Life magazine published Gordon Parks' picture-essay on the Nation of Islam, the following are a revisit to the group. In thoughtful, intimate portraits, the focus is on members' roles as political activists, parents and teachers, husbands and wives.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerMuslim Girls in Training (MGT) are the first to acknowledge their role as a wife and loyal member in the Nation of Islam. They are motivated to serve their husbands with humility and respect. For that matter, greater responsibility rest on the male member to act responsibly in respect to the teachings of the organization. The role of a woman in the Nation of Islam is to serve Allah (God), their husband and children, and the teachings of Louis Farrakhan. They are also responsible in maintaining a modest physical appearance at all times and to not conform to the way women are viewed as in larger society.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerAs a result of its high standards, and strict discipline, the FOI (Fruit of Islam) has drawn about itself an especially glamorous aura. Its military aspect appeals directly to the pent-up militancy of the true believer, and many Muslims who may not join the FOI act out their militancy by adulating it. Minister Lance Muhammad of Mosque #19 in Dayton, OH greets a fellow FOI at a Savior's Day Weekend convention.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerFruits of Islam of Mosque #18 accompany Minister Richard Muhammad (second from left), leader of the mosque, Minister Jamil Muhammad, (behind Richard) national spokesman of the Nation of Islam and general counsel for Louis Farrakhan, Abdul Arif Muhammad (background center) as they walk out of the Justice Center. Municipal judge Mabel Jasper dropped the charges against seven members of the Nation of Islam accused of dragging a man from his home and beating him during a search for 11-year-old Shakira Johnson.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerCurtis Muhammad teaches a lesson on Islamic Studies to students in the fifth to eighth grade at Muhammad University of Islam Mosque #18. In Cleveland, the school curriculum started two years ago as a non-accredited K-8th grade school. In 2003, the school graduated its first 8th grader.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerThe meaning of Qur'An is recitation. It is considered the last revelation from Allah to humankind. The bearer of this recitation, this Qur'An, was Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah, a seventh-century Arab, who is regarded as the last of Allah's prophets.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerThousands of members and guests attend a Sunday afternoon meeting at Mosque Maryam headquarters of the Nation of Islam in Chicago, to listen to Minister Louis Farrakhan. At the mosque, male and female sit on different sides of the aisle.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerThe Nation of Islam dreams to have a solid Muslim community in the United States, recognized and supported by other Muslim sects. In part, that is the case, however they are considered opposite to orthodox Islam. They do recognize Allah as the one true God. They base their services on both the Holy Qu'ran and the Holy Bible, and the majority of ministers know Arabic so as to be able to rely on the original Qu'ran. They observe the classic Muslim prayer, holidays, and most rituals such as the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerFrom left: Mustafa Farrakhan, Ishmail Muhammad, Wallace Deen Muhammad after Jumah prayer at the Savior's Day weekend convention.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eustacio Humphrey / The Plain DealerA man walks across Mosque Maryam headquarters of the Nation of Islam, reflected in a pool of water. The Nation of Islam's symbol is the crescent moon and the star. According to Elijah Muhammad, its meaning is spiritual and the crescent represents freedom, justice and equality and the star is there for the purpose of showing guidance for man and show the beauty of the universe.
