First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBen Haehn of Cleveland walks back to his vehicle with surf board in tow to get a cup of hot chocolate during a break of surfing Lake Erie January 18, 2006 at Edgewater Park. Ben said the dive suit keeps him warm enough in the upper 20's temperature and he jumps at any opportunity to run out and surf in the Winter when weather conditions are good-for surfing that is.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerGabby Theriot, 10, of Columbia Station comes out of the depths of her aunt's pool to the surface after a dive into the pool escaping the heat of the day July 26, 2006 in Olmsted Township.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDenny and Judy Crum of Frederick, MD. check out the arm supports of their new addition that will be added in their Corn Magic and Haunted Hay Ride exhibit near their home after they won the high bid at The 7 Floors of Hell auction June 10, 2006 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. The Crums spent over $12,000 during the auction to add to their frightful paraphernalia. The alien stands over 15 feet and is robotic, moving his head and arms and gnashing teeth.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerScott Hanlon with FMX East, a touring stunt motocross jumping team, handstands on his seat with the city skyline in the background to the thrill of Grand Prix of Cleveland fans for a little different entertainment between practices and qualifying runs June 24, 2006 at Burke Lakefront Airport.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerThe shadow silhouette of Pastor Royce Gregory is seen through the makeshift sheets and decorated cross for the Life Brand Cowboy Church band stage before Royce delivers a sermon in the indoor riding arena at the Twin Pines Stable in Newbury July 13, 2006. Royce started his ministry May 2 called the Life Brand Cowboy Church geared to folks around the stables who could not attend a Sunday worship service or don't like the conventional church setting.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerPastor Royce Gregory of the Life Brand Cowboy Church uses his daughters saddle for a pulpit before delivering his sermon in the indoor riding arena at the Twin Pines Stable for those seated in the grandstand and riders aboard thier horses in Newbury July 13, 2006.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerRoyce Gregory delivers a sermon in the indoor riding arena at the Twin Pines Stable for those seated in the grandstand and riders aboard their horses in Newbury, July 13, 2006. Royce started his ministry May 2 called the Life Brand Cowboy Church geared to folks around the stables who could not attend a Sunday worship service or don't like the conventional church setting.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerPastor Royce Gregory lifts up his daughter Abby during a baptising ceremony at Life Brand Cowboy Church in the indoor riding arena at the Twin Pines Stable. The church uses a new horse trough for the baptismal paid for by church tithings.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerRyan Brucker, 2, of Burton claps as another member of the Life Brand Cowboy Church is baptized by Pastor Royce Gregory in the indoor riding arena at the Twin Pines Stable in Newbury July 19, 2006. Royce started his ministry May 2 called the Life Brand Cowboy Church geared to folks around the stables who could not attend a Sunday worship service or don't like the conventional church setting.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota Bihn, 6, of Olmsted Falls looks at her mother Julie with apprehensive eyes from her hospital bed at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina with her own pillow donning some of the Disney Stdio beauties January 27, 2006. Dakota was diagnosed with infantile Tay Sachs disease, a brain debilitating disease that has no cure and results in paralysis and eventually death, and is at Duke Medical Center to undergo a controversial cord blood transplant to replace her blood with donor stem cells.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerJulie Bihn has to secure the legs and arms of her daughter Dakota as Duke Medical Center RN Nancy Rawlins cleans the dressing around the IV tubes much to the discomfort of Dakota. Dakota is in the process of receiving three chemotherapy treatments that will kill her white blood cell count before they administer the cord blood transplant.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer Julie Bihn rubs her face from fatigue as she updates her Carring Bridge website on the state of her daughter Dakota who was diagnosed with Taysachs Disease in their room in the 5200 ward at Duke Medical Center January 25, 2006. The Bihn family from Olmsted Falls is undergoing a controversial cord blood transfusion to try and stop the progression of the debilitating and deadly brain disease. The medicine pump's green neon lights cast an eery glow in their room.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBailey gives her sister Dakota a kiss through her mask cause Bailey had been sick earlier in the week in the 5200 ward at Duke Medical Center January 26, 2006. Bailey and her father Ken were in for a visit from Olmsted Falls, Ohio as Dakota goes through the three chemotherapy treatments before the cord blood transfusion.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota lies on her hospital bed January 27, 2006 as she receives her cord blood transplant from the rich stem cell blood from the umbilical cord of a recent birth as her family watches. Dakota was diagnosed with juvenile onset Tay-Sachs disease and the progression of the brain debilitating disease has affected her speech and motor skills.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota gets her lunch via a feed tube her father, Ken, administers July 10, 2006 at their temporary apartment in Durham, NC.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerKen holds his daughter Dakota May 29, 2006 during a check up at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC. Dakota was diagnosed with juvenile onset Tay-Sachs disease and the progression of the brain debilitating disease has affected her speech and motor skills.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerJulie prepares her daughter Dakota's daily medications as husband Ken wakes up in the extra bed May 29, 2006 during his turn to sleep with Dakota in their temporary apartment in Durham, NC.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota reaches up to get her hat back from dad, Ken, as sister Bailey (left) enjoys the scene as they wait to get a room for their weekly check up May 29, 2006 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerDakota Bihn walks with her mother Julie and followed by dad, Ken, as she is showered with confetti by nurses and doctors who work in the 5200 floor at Duke Medical Center March 27, 2006 in Durham, NC upon her release.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBailey hides in a cupboard at the families temporary apartment in Durham, North Carolina as her sister Dakota tries to find her with the aid of a walker as she gets some exercise July 10, 2006.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerBailey leaps over the smiley faces that were placed as decorations in the front yard of the Bihn home in Olmsted Falls August 22, 2006 in preparation of the return home of her sister Dakota after spending almost 7 months in Durham, NC battling her Tay-Sachs disease. Dakota underwent a controversial cord blood transfusion to try and stop the progression of the deadly brain disease.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerCleveland police officers console one another after the funeral for fellow Cleveland police Detective Jonathan Schroeder at St John Cathedral on East 9th Street in Cleveland September 6, 2006. The 37-year-old detective was fatally shot while serving an arrest warrant.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerA lone tree refuses to change colors just yet amidst the changing colors of the surrounding trees near Tallmadge October 25, 2006 as seen from an aerial photograph from the Spirit of Goodyear.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerLinda Taylor,42, owner of Lynn's Deli on Hough Avenue at the intersection of E. 82nd Street, laughs with business associate Gerald Mitchell outside the deli as they cook barbecued chicken for their lunch menu July 14, 2006. The painted mural was done by a Nigerian artist who worked a portrait of her father King George Taylor who owned the property in the late 1960's and an unidentified girl laughing.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerAnderson Varejao of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroits' Rasheed Wallace fight for a loose ball in the 4th quarter May 19, 2006 at Quicken Loans Arena.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerSolons' Deloreen Martin (left) loses the ball on a hit by Strongsvilles' Chris Svancara in the second quarter August 26, 2006 in the 2006 Charity Game played at the Cleveland Browns Stadium. The ball fell out of bounds and Solon retained possession two yards shy of the end zone and settled for a field goal.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerCleveland Browns fan David Dermer of Cortland, Ohio flops over the edge of the wall in the dog pound after Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored a touchdown on an interception in the fourth quarter December 24, 2006 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Bucs won the game 22-7.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain DealerSolon High's Kayla Jeter celebrates her block and a score with her teammates against Elryia High in the first match of the championship game during the Elyria Power Quad volleyball tournament hosted by Elyria September 30, 2006.
First Place, Photographer of the Year - John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer An automobile plows through the flood waters of the Grand River July 28, 2006 at the end of Route 44 at the entrance of the Headlands Beach State Park in a risky maneuver in Fairport.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchDespite a brutal heat wave, the city of Columbus decided to cancel its previous policy of opening up fire hydrants for heat relief so Marshawn Brown, 11, sat in his driveway with a garden hose and cooled off.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWilson Rahardjo and Ike Sutzipto pay the price for heading against the wind while the reflection of a statue of Christopher Columbus appears to be pointing the opposite way as they struggle with their umbrella on the campus of Columbus Community College.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchTinkerbelle rests in comfort in a deluxe suite at Pet Palace that is furnished with a stuffed bed, bottled water and a television that was playing a UNICEF commercial appealing for donations. The photo ran with a story about the growing market for pampered pets.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Amy Bell wipes tears of joy away as members of the Scioto Valley Chorus deliver a surprise Valentine's Day greeting from her boyfriend. She was standing outside her office at the American Cancer Society and her boyfriend was trying to get himself out of the doghouse.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAn elementary school student raises his hand to make the V for victory sign during an assembly at Linden Elementary School to celebrate the second annual Rosa Parks Day on the 51st anniversary of her refusal to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Ohio is one of two states that have created a annual celebration of the day and the children created a special mural to celebrate.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWhen Staff Sgt. Kendall Ivy,28 was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq he left behind 3 young children and his wife Lee Ann who was pregnant with their fourth child. The children of the dead are the youngest victims of the war and 65 children of Ohio soldiers were left behind when this story was published. Lee Ann Ivy, 28, holds her daughter Reagan and places a heart shaped pillow in her husband's casket at his funeral in May 2005.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchThe small town of Galion came out in full force to honor Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Ivy, 28, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in May of 2005.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee Ann Ivy carries newborn Gabriel through the living room doorway where a photograph of she and Staff Sgt. Ivy Kendall rests on a bookcase. The photograph was taken on Kendall's last visit home and he would never meet his son, Gabriel.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchHolding a pair of Gabriel's diapers under her arms, Lee Ann gets the older boys ready for school while Reagan, 5, looks on and watches the early morning chaos.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchGabriel sleeps in a car seat in the back while Lee Ann rubs her tired eyes after dropping the older boys off at school.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAfter begging his mother to show off his uniform, Harrison Ivy, 5, checks himself out in his replica "Marine Dress Blues" that Lee Ann bought before her husband was killed in Iraq. She had hoped to photograph the kids in uniform with their father.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAt the end of a long day, Lee Ann and all the kids sit down to watch a movie. The family left the Marine base where they had been living to be closer to their relatives in Galion.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWorking while the older kids are away at school, Lee Ann cleans and packs reminders of her life with Kendall as she prepares to move into a new home made possible by the payments she received for his death.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchIn their roomier new home, Lee Ann Ivy wakes up her sons Harrison and Caleb (left to right) who sneak from their separate bedrooms into her room at night to sleep together and be closer to her.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee Ann ponders her husbands gravestone likeness as her niece Aleta Rowe looks on for her reaction. The photo in the bottom right corner is the one used in the etching and is being held by an employee of the memorial company.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchHarrison Ivy looks behind at the special room dedicated to his father's memory in their new home in Mansfield. He was getting ready to head for school.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLike many fighting in the war in Iraq, Matthew Roach is a civilian/soldier pulled away from home and reserve duties to serve his country. Unlike most of his peers, Roach is also a professional clown and he returned from Iraq ready to spread some joy as Bugaboo the Clown. Master Sgt. Matthew Roach's clown costume hangs in a hallway while he is away serving in Iraq. After serving his tour of duty he was anxious to be home with his family, back to his regular job at Rickenbacker Air Force Base and his part time work as a clown.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchZachary Roach holds hands with his dad, Master Sgt. Matthew Roach, as he arrives back home, carrying a rubber chicken, after serving in Iraq. Roach works as a firefighter at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base and as a clown on the weekends.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchMatthew begins a one hour process to apply his clown makeup at home before heading out for his first job as a clown since returning from serving in Iraq.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchMatthew brushes up on his balloon tying skills before heading off to his first party since coming back from serving in Iraq. Zachary was looking on hoping to get the balloon animal that his father creates.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchMatthew deems Bugaboo's return to clowning a success as children line up to tweak his clown nose. He uses a special glue to make sure it holds up to the abuse.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAbout 60,000 Ohioans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Since Audrey Luthringer was diagnosed with multiple myeloma she and her partner Lee Hopkins have been on a medical journey full of disappointments, surprises and some joy. After spending time in a long distance relationship, Audrey Luthringer, 51, and Lee Hopkins, 37, decided to buy a home together in Columbus. One month later Audrey was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchWhile the nurse begins to deliver her chemotherapy drugs, Audrey says a prayer. The process takes hours and she brought a DVD player to help pass the time.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchNeighbor and friend, Mary Orin comforts Audrey as Lee shaves her head in an elaborate ceremony in their living room to rid her of the hair that chemotherapy is destroying.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAudrey is all smiles as Lee rubs lotion on her newly shaved head after an elaborate ceremony in their living room to shave her head.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAudrey gasps with surprise after staring into the living room cabinet and seeing her newly shaved bald head following an elaborate ceremony at home to shave it.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee accompanies Audrey as she is wheeled into a room at the Arthur James Cancer Center after spiking a high temperature following another round of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy destroys Audrey's immune system and any infection could be fatal.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee climbs into bed with Audrey at the Arthur James Cancer Center. Audrey was running a high temperature and wore the hat constantly to try and keep her bald head warm .
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchA nurse checks Audrey's temperature while Lee and Mary Orin look on from a fold out bed that Lee was using to stay overnight during Audrey's stay at the Arthur James Cancer Hospital.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAfter being in and out of the hospital for weeks, Audrey and Lee get to spend some time at home decorating their Christmas tree during a break in Audrey's chemotherapy routine.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLee laughs in the background as Audrey reacts to the bitter taste of her meds. Audrey had an extensive list of anti cancer drugs, anti depressants and painkillers she had to take in addition to her radiation and chemotherapy.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLying in her hospital bed, Audrey is exhausted after reading portions of an Ohio State University Medical Center brochure on "Living Well at the End of Life". She was in the hospital again after reactions to another round of chemotherapy and beginning to give up hope.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchLying on the living room floor with the couples dog Libby, Lee spends time at home without Audrey. Audrey's health and fight with cancer continues and her long term prognosis is unknown.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchOutfitted as an "alien" Concepcion Luna, 9, joined protestors in front of Congressman Paul Gillmor's office in Toledo to protest his support for the Sensenbrenner Bill on immigration. Her mother said she was an alien on a mission of peace.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchAntoine Patterson Jr, 4, and sister Kalyn Patterson, 8 months, were dressed in special commemorative t-shirts for their father's funeral. Antoine M. Patterson was shot to death in a still unsolved murder.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchBright sunshine on an Indian summer day, brought out honeybees searching for nectar to get them through the coming winter. This honeybee was busy with wild flowers at Highbanks Metro Park.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchSang Stewart's entire upper arm is covered with a tattoo of the Indian Goddess Parvati that stands as a visible symbol for the unconditional love that she has for her two young children.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchOtis Henderson , 78, displays a grim reminder of Jim Crow days. Henderson, a college classmate of Martin Luther King Jr.'s took the sign from a bus he rode to Fort Benning, Ga., when he was drafted during WW II.
Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus DispatchOhio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. tries to break up an interception by Northwestern's Sherrick McManis in the first half of their game at Ryan Field.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / Freelance
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceAs the clock ticks past midnight, a young couple share a moment together while celebrating the arrival of 2006 during a New Year's party at the Literary Cafe in Cleveland.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA group of college students bury a friend in the sand while partying along the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago to celebrate the end of their semester.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceBob Wagner of Rocky River, Ohio, prepares to hang by his skin. Six 10-guage steel hooks are placed in the upper part of his back, and he is lifted off the ground by a chain and pulley system. He will then be hanging vertically in what is called a "suicide suspension." The chains are being adjusted by his friend Nate Sexstella of Lakewood, Ohio. Bob did his first body suspension in 1999. He and a group of friends from the Cleveland area (including Mr. Sexstella) are part of the Induction performance troupe that performs various types of body suspension at shows and festivals.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceAt more than 5,500 miles long (including Alaska), the U.S.-Canada border is the longest undefended border in the world. The northern border is in many ways a series of contrasts to the U.S.-Mexico border, where the latter receives most attention from the government, law enforcement and the media. And while the main concern on the southern border is to curb illegal immigration, efforts on the U.S.-Canada border have been more focused on combating the potential for terrorism.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA farmer toiling the farmland adjacent to the U.S.-Canada border near Dunseith, North Dakota. In the foreground is the official boundary marker, one of thousands located along the border. In the background can be seen a cut through the trees, called a boundary vista, approximately 20 feet wide, maintained by the International Boundary Commission.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceVisitors wander about under an inscription at the International Peace Arch straddling the U.S.-Canada border near the official port of entry in Blaine, Washington. The U.S.-Canada border, at more than 5,500 miles (including Alaska), is the longest undefended border in the world. The inscription attests to the two countries having enjoyed a relatively peaceful and secure border for much of their history.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceTerry Schrader, a volunteer for the Washington state detachment of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, keeps watch along the U.S.-Canada border near Blaine, Washington. The Minutemen, more widely know for their activity along the U.S.-Mexico border, have set up eight patrol posts along the border in Washington between Blaine and Sumas. The Minutemen say that if they were to witness illegal activity at the border, their policy is not to intervene, but rather to notify U.S. Border Patrol and local law enforcement.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceAt the headquarters of the Washington state detachment of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps near Ferndale, Washington. The Minutemen, more widely know for their activity along the U.S.-Mexico border, have set up eight patrol posts along the U.S.-Canada border in Washington between Blaine and Sumas.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceU.S. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect the cargo in a tractor trailer truck at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, into Detroit. More than 6,000 commercial vehicles cross the border at the Ambassador Bridge every day, according to CBP spokesman Ron Smith.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA street scene on Clifton Hill, the main drag of shops, arcades, museums and restaurants in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. As security along the U.S.-Canada border has been beefed up after 9/11, many people on both sides of the border, especially business leaders, have been concerned about keeping the border open enough to facilitate commerce and tourism between the two countries.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceBoaters on Lake of the Woods in Minnesota's remote Northwest Angle, along the U.S.-Canada border. The international border in north Minnesota is a meandering chain of lakes, rivers, marshes and waterways. Only accessible in a car by driving through Canada, the Northwest Angle was left as a bit of a geographical oddity because of an error in an early survey of the U.S.-Canada boundary. The official port of entry into Northwest Angle is an unmanned videophone, where visitors are interviewed by U.S. and Canadian Customs officers.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA woman aboard a passenger ferry from Victoria, British Columbia, to Port Angeles, Washington. In the only major terrorism incident to occur on the U.S.-Canada border to date, Algerian terrorist Ahmed Ressam, the so-called "Millenium Bomber," was arrested with a trunk full of explosives as he crossed on the ferry in December 1999. Ressam was planning to blow up the airport in Los Angeles. Fears of terrorism were rekindled in summer 2006 when Canadian authorities arrested 17 suspected terrorists near Toronto.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceU.S. Border Patrol agents Allen Foraker (right), a senior patrol agent, and Gary Roman, a supervisory border patrol agent, patrolling on horseback among rugged mountain terrain along the U.S.-Canada border near Colville, Washington. The agents operate out of the Spokane, Washington sector, which is the first sector on the U.S.-Canada border to use horseback patrol. The horses allow the agents more mobility and efficiency on the tough landscape.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceGuy Backman next to a cement monument marking the U.S.-Canada border adjacent to his homestead in Souris, North Dakota. Mr. Backman's family has farmed the land here for generations, dating back to the 1800s. Throughout North Dakota, much of the border is open farmland, prairie or sparse woods.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceCast member Donna Garvin stretches before a show at the Haskell Opera House, which straddles the U.S.-Canada border between Derby Line, Vermont and Stanstead, Quebec. In this photo, the black line on the floor marks the border, with Ms. Garvin standing on the Canadian side. At left are the flags of U.S., Vermont state, Quebec province and Canada.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceFor nearly 25 years they've met in Euclid, the self-proclaimed "Polka Capitol of the U.S.," home of the Polka Hall of Fame: accordion and button box players and other polka musicians, fans, collectors and aficionados. Anthony Culkar, age 13, of North Royalton, poses for a portrait with his accordion. Having learned the instrument from his father, Anthony is now a student of Fred Ziwich, among the most revered polka musicians in the country.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceThe get-together is a succession of impromptu jam sessions, as groups of musicians play off each other's sounds. They represent a wide range of music skills as well as musical interests, all of which blend together into the sounds.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceJohn Carroll of Brookpark with one of six instruments from his collection of accordions and button boxes. He is also a member of the polka band Buttonaires.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA tuba player joins in on a jam session. Many participants brought other instruments besides accordions and button boxes, sometimes lending blues and big band twists to the otherwise Old World sound.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceJoe Cermelj of Broadview Heights began playing only a few months ago, after finding his father's old button box.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceDetail of an elaborately ornamental button box. The button boxes are distinguished from accordions by the series of buttons played by the right hand (whereas an accordion uses piano keys instead).
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceFran Prijatel (left) of Wickliffe and her daughter Joanne Bowman of Willoughby. The mother-daughter team are members of the polka band Buttonaires.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceHank Zuzek of Beamsville, Ontario, erupts in song during a large jam session in a side room during the Super Button Box Bash.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceThe Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant began in 1963 to promote Texas pride, Western heritage and the professional sport of rodeo. The pageant is open to girls ages 19-24, with also a teen contest for girls ages 14-18. Miss Rodeo Johnson County Sheriff Posse Teen, Whitney Cooper (center, in pink) of Joshua, Texas, socializes with other contestants during the Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant as they take a tour of the historic Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceA shaft of sunlight illuminates Miss Tyler County Western Weekend Sweetheart, Kira Knaupp (left) of Fredericksburg, Texas, as she waits with her horse before competing in the horsemanship category. The horsemanship skill test includes tasks such as controlling the horse, riding at different speeds, and mounting and dismounting.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMiss Rodeo Sand Hills Teen, Kyla Yarbrough of Odessa, Texas, is all smiles and glam as she gives a speech to the judges about what Texas means to her.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMiss Rodeo Shelby County, Joanna Blackwell (left) of Center, Texas, and other contestants parade before the judges (silhouetted in foreground) while modeling evening wear. The fashion show marked the end of a week of contests--next it was time for the girls to prepare for the final Coronation the following night.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceDressed in some of their most colorful Western-themed outfits, the girls line up on a rail for a group photo shoot. Each contestant arrived at the pageant with a slew of meticulously color-coordinated outfits.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceOn their final night together before the Coronation day, Miss Rodeo Ring of Fire, Jessa Rew (top, center) of Boerne, Texas, plays guitar and sings Johnny Cash songs with other contestants as they wind down in their hotels room. Seen with her are (clockwise from lower left): Miss North Texas High School Rodeo, Stevi Roubion; Miss Rodeo Lufkin, Rosanna Pace; and Miss Tyler County Western Weekend Sweetheart, Kira Knaupp.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMiss Rodeo Sand Hills, Tyler Shea Lyda (right) becomes flustered as Miss Rodeo San Augustine, Michaelle Blake, tries to help fix her sash as the girls get ready backstage prior to the final Coronation. Miss Lyda would end up finishing in second place.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceBeth Murphy (center), the reigning Miss Rodeo Texas, leads a group of this year's contestants in performing a dance routine on stage to the song "God Bless Texas" during the pageant Coronation. Seen here with Murphy are (from left) Miss Rodeo Sand Hills, Tyler Shea Lyda; Miss Rodeo San Augustine, Michelle Blake; Miss Rodeo Shelby County, Joanna Blackwell; and Miss United Professional Rodeo, Christin Lee Daugherty.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceFamily members, contestants and pageant organizers gather to congratulate Joanna Blackwell (center) of Center, Texas, after she was crowned the new Miss Rodeo Texas at the final Coronation in San Antonio. Miss Blackwell will now go on to represent Texas in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas, as well as tour the country doing promotional appearances.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceMichael (left) and Sharen Gravelle sit at the dinner table where they used to feed their 11 adopted children at their home in Clarksfield Township. In early 2006, the Gravelles were accused of making the children sleep in cages, among other harsh forms of parenting brought to light by Huron County Job and Family Services. They were indicted and eventually convicted on 11 criminal charges including child endangering and child abuse. Their children have since been placed in foster care. The Gravelles are currently seeking a new trial.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceChildren play at sunset at a park called Mystical Horizons, the town's own version of Stonehedge, in Carbury, North Dakota, near the U.S.-Canada border.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceBharadwaj "Ravi" Ananthan poses for a portrait at his home in Northfield. Mr. Ananthan is the coordinator of the Cleveland chapter of ASHA for Education, a non-profit organization focusing on aid for underprivileged children in Mr. Ananthan's native India.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceProf. Roger Cram poses for a portrait on campus at Hiram College. Prof. Cram is the founder of SSSSH!, or the Secret Society of Serendipitous Service to Hal!, an organization of people who perform anonymous good deeds. Prof. Cram started the group as a tribute to his old friend Hal Reichle, who used to perform anonymous good deeds before his death in the Gulf War in 1991. The organization currently has more than 40,000 anonymous members worldwide.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceJuan Perez rides in the back of an equipment truck with a crew of Mexican guest workers after digging up trees in a field at Willoway Nurseries in Avon. The company employs nearly 350 guest workers from various parts of Mexico. Immigration became a hot topic for political debate in 2006 as President Bush proposed an overhaul of the nation's guest worker policy to facilitate more foreign workers taking jobs that many say most Americans won't work.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceBuffalo Sabres' Jason Pominville (far left, #29) celebrates with teammate Daniel Briere after scoring a goal late in the third period to tie the game against the Atlanta Thrashers. At right are Atlanta defender Niclas Havelid (#28) and goalie Kari Lehtonen. The Thrashers would go on to win the game in a shootout, 5-4.
Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Greg Ruffing / FreelanceValerie Waugaman of Cleveland prepares herself backstage before competing in the Figure International portion of the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships. The prestigious event, created by Arnold Schwarzenegger, draws thousands of competitors each year to Columbus, Ohio.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerLisa Zebrowski performs in the Follies Cabaret Rock show at Pickwick and Frolic, Jan. 12, 2006, Cleveland.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerPlaymate hopefuls and friends who came to support them wait for a shot at a fantasy during a Playboy casting call at Crowne Plaza City Center in Cleveland.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerKatie Gray laughs while talking to classmate Jaret Pustai during their Valentine's Day party Feb. 14, 2006, Lakewood, Ohio. They are members of Tammy Pollock's second grade class at Lakewood Catholic Academy.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerModels do some last minute primping before taking the runway at Cleveland Public Theater during Fashion Week 2006.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerModels laugh off last-minute jitters before taking the runway at Cleveland Public Theater during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA model wears a light-up skirt backstage at the Cleveland Public Theater during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer A model wears film in her hair during show of mixed media at Cleveland Public Theater.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer A model wears a long dress during show of haute coture at Convivium Gallery.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA model walks the runway during a show of latino fashions at Club Moda during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerThe show at Convivium Gallery featured formal gowns as well as more casual wear.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerThe crowd also came fashionably dressed to Cleveland Public Theater for the mixed media show during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerThe crowd watches the show at the Cleveland Public Theater during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA model breaks into laughter at the end of the haute corture show at Convivium Gallery during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerModels line the runway at he end of the show at Convivium Gallery during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA model walks the runway during the Latino show at Club Moda during Fashion Week.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerDion Jones looks at the racial epiteth vandals spray painted on the inside of his Old Brooklyn home Jan. 20, 2006, Cleveland.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerStatler Florist manager David Kleckner works on an arrangement as his other flowers bathe in the sunlight streaming through the front window from his shop in the Statler building downtown Cleveland.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain Dealer Autumn leaves adorn the wooden dock in the small pond behind the Taft home in the Pepper Ridge subdivision.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerAmateur photographer Claire Zurbuch climbs a ladder to photograph a field of wild mustard in Newbury Township, May 11, 2006.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerMarie Jackson comforts her son, Darnell, 9, who suffers from sickle cell anemia. Jackson is the mother of five, two of them have sickle cell anemia.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerAlexis Schween's dog, Bella, is more than a pet. Bella helps the 4-year-old Mayfield Heights youngster walk in a world that can be scary for a child with a disability.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerDon King's hair is lit up by television lights during press conference, Mar. 8, 2006, at the CSU Wolstein Center promoting upcoming fight between Lamon Brewster and Sergei Liakhovich.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerSt. Edward's Cory Skoczen (18) and Tarik Raed linger on the field and console each other after their 7-3 loss to Warren G. Harding, Nov. 11, 2006, at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerDominic Cunningham (30) and other members of the Shaw High School football team show their spirit during pep rally Oct. 28, 2006, East Cleveland.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerStan Cohara pulls a flatboat carrying his mother, Joyce Harrison, down a flooded Francis St., June 23, 2006, Valley View.Harrison, of Ravenna, had come to help her son clean up his house. He has lived on the street for about 18 months.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerRock climbers make the trek through the woods to a favorite climbing spot in the Hinckley Reservation.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA climber sets up ropes atop Whipps Ledges in the Hinckley Reservation.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerClimbers warm up by climbing smaller rocks, an activity they call "bouldering."
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerClimber Jeff Boni strains for a handhold while rock climbing in Hinckley Reservation.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerChalk is applied to hands for better grip.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA climber reaches a critical point beneath a ledge in the climb at Whipps Ledges in Hinckley Reservation.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA climber looks for a foot-hold in the climb at Whipps Ledges in Hinckley Reservation.
Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Dale Omori / The Plain DealerA spectator checks out the view atop Whipps Ledges in Hinckley Reservation.
