2007 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Lily stretches out on a park bench in Dennison Place and yawns while owner Suzanne Schneiderman (not shown) was busy tending to a community garden.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Although their path was blocked, there was no sign of arachnophobia from three year old Simone Gorman as her mother, Pauline Wong wheeled her up to this oversized spiderweb at Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville. The Westerville residents were discovering the David Rogers Big Bugs exhibit that was on display.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Sue Grogan left work early only to find her car encased in ice. Heavy snow was the problem for her driving into work, getting the ice off was the problem after freezing rains hit.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Museum of Art docent Paul Hammock seems to be shielding his conversation from a hyperrealistic figural sculpture by Toronto sculptor Evan Penny. He was showing visiting Granville Elementary students and a parent the exhibits at the museum.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Almost 19,000 babies are born prematurely in Ohio each year and the numbers are increasing. Riley Potter was delivered by Caesarean section after he stopped growing in his mother's womb. He weighed slightly more than a pound when he was born almost four months premature.
Dr. Christopher Timan checks Riley's heartbeat after his arrival at Columbus Children's Hospital's intensive care unit. Riley was delivered at a local hospital to first time mother Beth Potter and rushed to Columbus Children's Hospital Neonatal Care Unit.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Beth can only look through a porthole in Riley's incubator during a visit to Children's Hospital in early May. She would not get to feed him or hold him for several more months.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Sheltered in an incubator that regulates his body temperature and shelters him from infection, Riley is dwarfed by medical equipment that keeps him alive . Riley's father, John Henry stopped in alone after work, but the parents will not be able to touch Riley for months.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Riley is out of his incubator briefly before heading to laser eye surgery that must performed now or risk blindness. Beth and John prepare themselves for the procedure that could be dangerous.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

A team of nurses and technicians race Riley to an operating room for laser surgery on his eyes. The general anaesthetic is a health risk to his fragile system and he must be off his ventilator during the procedure.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

In an underlit operating room, Dr. Rick Golden will make about 1000 laser cuts on each of Riley's eyes to treat for retinopathy of prematurity. He must cut the abnormal blood vessels that grow and spread throughout the retina.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Beth holds up a beaker of breast milk that is delivered to Riley by a tube directly into his stomach while John holds him for the first time. Riley has grown enough to be out of his incubator but still must be fed by IV and is still on a respirator that breathes for him.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Visiting the hospital by himself, John learns that Riley is breathing well enough to be taken off the ventilator and will be able to breathe for himself and cry for the first time. John holds a telephone up for Beth who had to stay home.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

John looks over a list of cards that set goals for Riley to meet before he can leave Children's Hospital and go home while Beth feeds him a bottle for the first time.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Because Riley was confined to an incubator for so long and was too sick to move on his own he has not developed normally and will need physical therapy to correct atrophied muscles. John is working with a therapist at the hospital to learn the exercises Riley will need to do at home.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Riley's respiratory therapist opens the car door for Beth and Riley while John struggles with Riley's portable oxygen tank as they leave Nationwide Children's Hospital. Riley will need to be on a 24 hour monitor and receive supplemental oxygen at home.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

After having spent all night at the hospital with Riley, learning more about what he would need to keep him healthy at home and getting little sleep, Beth stares and worries about the future.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

World War II veteran Charles Armentrout enjoys a last smoke at his local VFW before they post the sign to ban smoking there. Ohio courts ruled that even private businesses and clubs had to abide by the statewide smoking ban.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

A flag draped casket bearing Rep. Paul Gillmor is taken from the Ohio Statehouse after a memorial service and a public viewing in the rotunda. The Republican Congressman died after an accidental fall down stairs in his Washington town house.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Tyler Bohlen, 7, has a ringside seat as the City of Columbus demolishes the house next door which was abandoned and being used as a drug house.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Sporting an oversized wide brimmed hat Christy Cox greets arrivals to the Annual Hat Day event at the Franklin Park Conservatory that raises funds for the facility.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Portrait of professional body piercer Lindsay Rink who is a devotee of body manipulation, including tattoos, piercings, and scarring. The photo accompanied a story on breast implants that she got for free by accepting contributions from men on a website titled myfreebreastimplants.com.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Portrait of influential Columbus Police Officer James J. Scanlon who has been an outspoken critic of the media and the police department in their handling of officers involved in shootings.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Labeled a sexual predator, Albert Walters lives in this small room in a boarding house in a poor section of Newark, OH that he shares with other sexual offenders. A growing number of communities are restricting where these offenders can live after they leave prison .

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State University's Kurt Coleman faces off against Akron Zip's Joe Tuzze in a surprisingly competitive first half against the much smaller Akron University.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

St Francis DeSales' Lauren Miller loses the handle on this throw to second and John Glenn's Jenna Shingary is safe at second. She moved on to score the winning run and defeat DeSales in extra innings.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch

Blue Jackets's Dan Fritsche celebrates his winning goal against Colorado Avalanche in the third period of their game at Nationwide Arena.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Sitey Abukar, 10, and her sister Shamso, 8, belong to one of Cleveland's newest communities. Born in a refugee camp in Kenya, the children arrived in 2004 with about 250 other Somali Bantu to start new lives in a world far unlike the one they knew.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Lanterns with messages of peace float at dusk to comfort the souls of atomic bomb victims who died August 4, 1945, in Hiroshima, Japan. Cleveland Peace Action sponsored the event "The Commemoration of Hiroshima Day" on the pond at Rockefeller Park marking the 62nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing. Hiroshima Day is observed throughout the world to honor the over 200,000 people killed in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, most of those civilians.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Damika McIntyre, mother of Davonta McIntyre, 14, in handcuffs on left, cries as he is lead out of his hearing at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. McIntyre is one of the four teenagers riding in a stolen car that killed a Brecksville grandmother in Cleveland's theater district. Virginia DiGiorgio, 57, was struck while crossing Prospect Avenue with her husband to see a performance of "The Lion King." She died at MetroHealth Medical Center shortly after being hit.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Laureana Colon, 93, touches the face of her grandson Ramon Diaz, 18, while he sits with her during his daily visit after school at her home in Ohio City. Ramon, a senior at St. Ignatius High School, who grew up poor but loved, will be the first one in his large family to attend college. " If I didn't have my family, I wouldn't even be in school right now," Diaz who has a full-ride scholarship to Columbia in New York City said. "I was given the opportunity to go for it and I will. Until I'm in my grave, I'm not going to quit."

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Christopher Pekoc, 65, photographed through one of his polyester film art pieces, has won a Cleveland Arts Prize award for his work in the visual arts. Hands have been an ongoing theme with him for years. Pekoc is also Lecturer in Drawing in the Art Studio of Case Western Reserve University.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Sporting a vintage hat, umpire Mark Cammock watches for the pitch during a vintage baseball game as Forest City Base Ball Club takes on the Canal Fulton Mules at a field behind the Federated Life Center in Chagrin Falls

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

"I miss him," Roxane Dowdy says as she holds a picture of her brother First Sgt. Robert Dowdy, 38, at her front door of her home. She misses his wry sense of humor. "Nothing is ever the same. It changes everything." Robert Dowdy was killed in Iraq on March 23, 2003, during the notorious Jessica Lynch ambush. The wrinkled, Scotch-taped, paper "We Support Our Troops" American Flag has been on her front door since the war started. (In background smoking on left, is Roxane's brother Jim Dowdy, 40.)

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Gwendolyn Connally, 93, right, dances to the disco song "Freak Out," during a dance competition at the Menorah Park Adult Day Center in Beachwood. The senior citizens competed in various dance categories such as the "Chicken Dance", the "Best High Stepper" and "Dancing Wheels".

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Richard Gildenmeister, 75, a master bookseller from Joseph-Beth Booksellers, tells Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential hopeful John Edwards, that she will beat her cancer and that his own mother lived for 21 years with the disease. Edwards was signing copies of her book "Saving Graces" at the City Club of Cleveland. "She's a living profile in courage," Gildenmeister said. "She's living her life and living it gracefully. She's real."

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Rogina Weakley (center) fearfully looks across the street at her neighbor's window where a video camera has been pointed towards her home, in background, for weeks. Weakley and her daughters Marrielle Weakley, 12, with glasses, and Marika Fleming, 13, far right, visit the burnt remains of their home where an arson fire broke out while they were home. Weakley suspects that her neighbor, who is white, is responsible for the fire. Two arson fires at the homes of black families, punctuated with ugly scrawls of racist graffiti, has shocked neighbors in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

The Ford Cleveland Casting Plant is seen in a reflection from across the street in a storefront window where an American Flag is displayed. Ford Motor Co., who has continuously boasted about its All-American trucks, announced during a press conference at their union hall next door that it will close the largest of its three plants in Brook Park. Cleveland Casting, a 1,200-job plant that forges engine blocks and other parts, will close in 2009. At that point, Ford will outsource all of its North American engine casting business.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Kate Fogarty, 20, of Chardon flies head first over cross rails after her horse stopped short before making the jump during the Adult Jumper competition during the Chagrin Valley Jumper Classic in Moreland Hills " I kept going and he didn't," she said. Fogarty, who miraculously walked away unhurt, said that it was her mistake when she leaned up on his neck before the jump instead of asking her horse to leave the ground with her legs, she said.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Actors float across the stage during the opening scene of Act I at the dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker at the Stocker Arts Center. This is the Ohio Dance Theater's 16th annual Nutcracker performed under the direction of Denise Gula. Gula's dedication to the dance theater has kept it alive through a poor local economy and limited donations. "The last two years have been a tremendous struggle," Gula said. "It falls on our shoulders as artists to do everything we can to keep it in front of a new audience."

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Masks for the Mouse King and the Nutcracker wait backstage during dress rehearsal for the "Nutcracker".

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Juliana Freude, 22, prepares her feet for her ballet slippers during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

"This is my little angel," says Rick Kenney as he pins gold wings onto his daughter Hallie's angel costume. Kenney is helping out with final touches just before she goes onstage during dress rehearsal practice for Ohio Dance Theater's "Nutcracker". In minutes, seven-year-old Hallie would be floating across the stage through smoke and deep blue lights, a vision of celestial perfection, dancing in her very first Nutcracker ballet.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Ballerinas are anything but delicate as Jennifer Hogue demonstrates as she clowns around in the wings during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Juliana Freude, 22, performs as the Columbine Doll in the party scene during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Janet Strukely, 24, waits for her cue to dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Janet Strukely, 24, dances the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

From left, Christina Wiley, 14, of Avon Lake, Kasha Hilton, 15, of Oberlin and Breanna Wisnor, 16, of Norwalk, help each other with their quick changes for the next scene which they play "snow' during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

A ballerina waits in the wings for her cue for the snow scene during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Ballerinas waits in the wings during dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Ballerinas float across the stage during the snow scene at dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Schoolmates of Asteve' Thomas cry as they walk out of the Thomas' funeral service at Mount Sinai Baptist Church. Asteve' "Cookie" Thomas, 12, was shot and killed, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of suspected drug peddlers, as she walked home from a candy store on Francis Avenue. Cleveland accounted for more than half of the homicides in the region, reporting 132 homicides this year. James Yhonquea, 20, of Cleveland, has been charged with aggravated murder.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

The high school choir from Cleveland School of the Arts practices singing "Steal Away Home" for the funeral service for Asteve' Thomas, just outside of Mount Sinai Baptist Church. Thomas was a stand-out student at the school, a poet and a member of this choir.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

A family member waits for the casket of Asteve Thomas to be brought out of the funeral service at Mount Sinai Baptist Church. At the funeral, the Rev. C. Jay Matthews, the Mount Sinai pastor, urged Cookie's family to seek solace in religion. He criticized the gun culture that he said has sprouted in Cleveland and across the country. “A community that solves its problems with guns ends up in sorrow,” he said.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Tracy Griffin (right) is helped by a friend as she cries while walking out of the funeral service for her niece Asteve' Thomas. Thomas was the youngest of 13 children.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

A family member is overcome with grief as he is helped out of the funeral service for Asteve' Thomas, at Mount Sinai Baptist Church.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

A young boy places flowers on the casket during the funeral for Asteve "Cookie" Thomas at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Hundreds came to the grave site to mourn her.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Lisa DeJong / The Plain Dealer

Kim Elliot, mother of Asteve "Cookie" Thomas, releases a dove near her daughter's grave site at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. “It could have been your little sister, it could have been your baby, it could have been anybody, " Elliot said.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

On March 5, 2007, Johanna Orozco was shot in the face by her obsessed ex-boyfriend Juan Ruiz. The blast shattered the lower part of her face, leaving a puzzle of pieces to be put back together. As she sleeps in her hospital bed this past spring, Johanna Orozco tosses and moans. The disturbing dreams that invade the 18-year-old's sleep are part of the journey of mental healing she faces as doctors work to repair her face, damaged from a shotgun blast.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

While waiting days for her surgery, Johanna never loses her sense of humor as she jokes with friends on a Friday night at MetroHealth.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

On the morning of her surgery, Johanna is asked by Dr. Michael Fritz is she's scared. She motions with her thumb and index finger, a little bit.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Dr. Michael Fritz applies a tourniquet to cut off blood supply to the leg in which skin and bone will be removed and sewn to create Johanna's new jaw at MetroHealth.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

An exhausted Johanna is supported by her grandmother, Juanita Orozco, after finishing her physical therapy session.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Johanna gets a kiss from her grandfather, Wosbely, while waiting for Dr. Michael Fritz to come by to discharge her.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Johanna flops onto her new bed, relieved when she gets to her Aunt Hilda Hernandez's house, where she decided to stay. She doesn't want to return to the house where she was shot.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Johanna Orozco dresses for prom. A portrait of her mother hangs on her wall.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Johanna dances with prom king Zlatko Zlatanov after the two were named prom king and queen at the Lincoln West prom.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Juan Ruiz wipes away tears before pleading guilty to all charges of rape and attempted aggravated murder in the shooting of his former girlfriend, Johanna Orozco.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Johanna Orozco waits to hear from the defense attorney whether they will plead out in Juan Ruiz's trial.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Johanna raises her arms in relief as she leaves the Justice Center after ex boyfriend Juan Ruiz pled guilty to charges of rape and attempted aggravated murder.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Cleveland is considered the epicenter of the subprime mortgage meltdown Roughly 30 percent of mortgages are delinquent or in foreclosure. With the cities economic problems and dropping home prices, the region is unlikely to turn around anytime soon. Darnellas Caldwell holds her head in frustration because she can't get a straight answer from the mortgage company as to whether there is hope she may be able to keep her home.The home has been sold, but there is no date as to when she has to vacate.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

A Slavic Village home that has all its siding stripped next to a nicer home in the community.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Shawn Bell, of Bell Properties, goes through the window of a foreclosed home under the watchful eye of deputy Rob Kole.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Cuyahoga County Sheriff Deputy David Rowe watches the upstairs as his partner checks the remainder of the downstairs in a home on Talford Ave.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Cuyahoga County Sheriff Deputy Rob Kole surveys the basement of a Dynes Ave. home where the copper plumbing and water heater were taken out.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Cuyahoga County Sheriff Deputy Rob Kole, arrests a woman who had a warrant for parole violation while serving an eviction. The other tenant in the house laughs at the woman's predicament.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Cleveland dog warden Miguel Santiago takes away a dog owned by Charles Murphy from a home on E. 70 St.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

The U-Haul truck is loaded with Darnellas Caldwell's belongings to be moved into storage .

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Caldwell celebrates after getting everything into her self storage unit on moving day.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

A Cleveland police officer runs into Success Tech School after a student opened fire shooting a teacher and students before turning the gun on himself.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

SuccessTech teacher David Kachadourian gives a thumbs up after being shot . Asa Coon, a student, shot two teacher and two students before turning the gun on himself.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Students and faculty huddle outside of Success Tech School after a student opened fire shooting a teacher and students before turning the gun on himself.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

A distraught mother (left) cries after bringing her daughter, right, out of SuccessTech School after a student opened fire shooting a teacher and students before turning the gun on himself.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Stephen Coon, the brother of yesterday's school shooter, Asa Coon, was arrested at his home. Asa, a student at SuccessTech Academy, shot four people yesterday before turning the gun on himself. Stephen was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant and brought in for questioning on the school shooting.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Terry Knapp, of the Christian hiphop group Life Line, performs at the 4:12, a Christian night club in Tallmadge.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Rodney Johnson (right) gives a kiss to Helen Haynes, a 74-year-old woman he pulled out of an apartment fire. Six adults and twelve children were left homeless in the four unit blaze on E. 102nd St.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Conya Doss smiles while waiting to have Sharon Norgus, right, do her makeup before going on stage at the Beachland Ballroom.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Akron Buchtel's Tiffany Tucker (center) hugs teammate Kachay Hullum (left) after winning the Division II 4X400 meter relay, June 2, 2007. Teammate Chelsea James is also in on the celebration. Buchtel won the Division II team title.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Liz Shinkle, production intern for the Cleveland Play House, climbs scaffolding to help lower a piece of scenery for the play, The Clean House. Shinkle was working during a dress rehearsal.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Mod clothing shot at CIA.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Tyler Stern, of Brunswick (second from right) watches teammates (from left) Corey Guastini, Brad Neumann and Devon Snack stretch during warmups at the Berea Kiwanis Relays.

Third Place, Photographer of the Year - Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer

Delvaugh Devine (center) performs during a rehearsal of The Distinguished Gentlemen of Spoken Word. It's a group of young black male students from Cleveland who electrify audiences with their rapid-fire full-body presentation of poetry.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

A child dances along on the sidewalk while Akron firefighters work at the scene of an abandoned house fire.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

The early morning sun illuminates the fog covered railroad tracks in Marshallville.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Mike Burrrows, 18, of Stow flips over on his skis while showing off for his friends at the Boston Mills Ski Resort.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

This woman on talks on her cell phone in her Ford Pick-up truck after rolling it on the side in this multi-car accident.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

A couple crosses South Main as lights reflect on the rain soaked street in Akron.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2006, Carol Tolson, (right), from Akron works on a dance routine with instructor Sunhee Starkey in preparation for the 2007 pageant.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Youngstown State's Jack Liles (left) blocks a shot by University of Akron's Chris McKnight at the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Elizabeth McClain, 101, of the Francesca Residence home cleans the lunch room tables everyday to keep active in spite of macular degeneration and deteriorating hearing.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron firefighters attend to a victim who lost control of his motorcycle and was injured.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Ryan Branney is framed by falling water as the mist rises around him at the Splash & Dash car wash.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Bobby Cutts Jr. joined in the neighborhood search for clues in the disappearance of his girlfriend Jessie Marie Davis and her unborn child. Cutts, 30, a police officer, was later accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and her unborn daughter. If convicted he could receive the death penalty.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Worshipers raise their hands in praise during a memorial service for televangelist Rex Humbard, 88.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron police restrain Daisy Shoff from entering her home to save her pets as firefighters battle an early morning blaze in Akron, Ohio. After numerous attempts to revive her animals, firefighters were able to save one dog but several others and the family's pet bird perished in the fire.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Daisy Shoff is overcome with emotion as Akron Police prevent her from entering her home to save her pets as firefighters battle an early morning blaze. After numerous attempts to revive her animals, firefighters were able to save one dog but several others and the family's pet bird perished in the fire.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Daisy Shoff looks at two of her dogs and a bird that died in an early morning blaze despite numerous attempts to save them. Dutchess, right, on oxygen, survived after being rescued by Akron firefighters.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Daisy Shoff gives her dog Dutchess oxygen after it was rescued from her home from Akron firefighters. Several other dogs and the family's pet bird perished in the fire despite numerous efforts by the Akron firefighters.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

A message to the family of U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, made of foam cups is on a fence at Brideweser Stadium next to Fairless High School in Navarre. Fairless High School graduate, Zachary A. Grass was killed in a roadside bombing in Iraq. Hundreds from this rural community, attended the funeral and graveside services to honor this fallen soldier.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Matt Kramer the former basketball coach of U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, holds his basketball jersey outside Fairless High School before the funeral services.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, is carried by a Army Honor Guard from Fairless High School.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Alex Jamison, 8, pauses in front of a sign along the funeral procession of U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, in Sugarcreek.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Hundreds of mourners attend the funeral of U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, at Welty Cemetery in Sugarcreek, OH. The Fairless High School graduate's funeral services were held at the High School.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

A U.S. Army Honor Guard places the casket of U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. Grass, 22, at his gravesite at Welty Cemetery in Sugarcreek.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Frank and Patti Grass, clutch the flag at their son's casket as they grieve during the service at Welty Cemetery in Sugarcreek. Zachary A. Grass died in Iraq on June 16, 2007 in a roadside bombing.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Les Kuglics, arm in arm with his wife, Donna, reaches out to touch the nose of the plane that holds the body of their son, Matthew. Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics, returning home on a private charter, was killed after an explosive device struck his vehicle while on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Grieving family members embrace as the flag-draped casket of Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics is carried from the plane by honor guard members of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Emily Kuglics, 18, (left) sobs with her parents Donna and Les Kuglics (center) and grandparents, Teresa and Lewis Kuglics as the casket of her brother, Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics is seen for the first time after arriving home from Iraq.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

Friends and family members riding in a bus, follow behind a hearse carrying the body of Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics. Kuglics was brought home on a private charter after he was killed when an explosive device struck his vehicle on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Ken Love / Akron Beacon Journal

A tribute to Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics hangs on the backstop at a baseball field on the motorcade route from the airport.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Elizabeth Hall, 5, sticks her tongue out at the Rev. James Ragnoni after the priest gave her a playful nudge with his elbow in the back of her head as he walked along the aisle blessing palms with holy water at a Palm Sunday service.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Boston pitcher Jonathan Papelbon celebrates after the Indians 11-2 loss to the Red Sox in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Although he is legally blind, Alan "Al" Denny, 63, walks 2.5 miles, five days a week, to play basketball at the King School playground. Denny shoots baskets for a few hours and often joins in some pickup games with players 40-50 years younger.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Bowling Green's Erik Marschall is swarmed in a loose ball pile-up during the first half action at Kent State University's MAC Center on Saturday January 20, 2007 in Kent, Ohio. BG's Dusan Radivojevic is behind calling time out.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Ducks swim across Myers Lake amid the reflecting autumn colors on Tuesday Oct. 30, 2007, in Canton, Ohio.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Walsh's Leanne Butkovic feels the pain of the Warriors 3-2 loss to Salem during the Div. II Regional Volleyball tournament.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Levester Johnson takes his dog Armani out for a morning jog along Gaynard Road in West Akron on Monday March 26, 2007. "I was lazy this morning," said Johnson. I'm on the way to the gym myself. I wanted to make sure he got in a workout before I left."

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Perry's Joe Brenner is locked up with Lake's Josh Oswald during 119 pound wrestling action on Thursday, Feb 8, 2007 in Hartville.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

The dark chocolate craze has gone so far that makers are labeling from what region and the percentage of cacao in the chocolate on each bar.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers Zydrunas Ilgauskas, left, gets tangled in the net trying to block a shot by San Antonio Spurs' Fabricio Oberto during second half game action.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Alec Pinter,11, diagnosed with autism, poses for a portrait with his cat, Billy, at their Cuyahoga Falls home.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Firestone High School students cheer on their team during a recent basketball game. The Firestone Falcons will take on Cleveland Glenville in the semi-finals.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Hoban's Jessacca Gironda makes a first half save against Hathaway Brown During Division II State Semi-final action on Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007 in Ravenna, Ohio.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Benedictine's Dan Reilly celebrates his team's win over Walsh during the Boys District basketball finals at Stow High School in Stow.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

An Akron police officer keeps an eye on Alexander Campbell, 55, as he holds a knife to his throat at his home on Idaho Avenue during an hour-long standoff in his front yard. Before police arrived, Campbell used a Louisville Slugger to smash the vehicle of his estranged wife, Candy, prior to pulling the knife on her and himself. The standoff ended when Campbell was tasered and placed into custody.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron police officers talk to Alexander Campbell, 55, as he holds a knife to his throat at his home on Idaho Avenue during an hour-long standoff. Before police arrived Campbell had that same knife pressed to the throat of his estranged wife, Candy Campbell.The standoff ended when Campbell was tasered and placed in custody.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron police officers talk to a distraught Alexander Campbell, 55, as he holds a knife to his throat at his home on Idaho Avenue during an hour-long standoff.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Candy Campbell, 54, sits in the back of a police cruiser after a standoff situation between Akron police and her husband, Alexander Campbell, in the Kenmore area, Thursday, April 19, 2007 in Akron, OH.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Akron police officers subdue Alexander Campbell, 55, with a taser forcing him to drop his knife after an hour-long standoff. Before police arrived Campbell had that same knife pressed to the throat of his estranged wife, Candy Campbell.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Alexander Campbell, framed in a window of his estranged wife's Jeep, waits to be transported by the Akron police. Campbell smashed the vehicle with a Louisville Slugger prior to pulling a knife on his wife and himself, which led to an hour-long standoff with Akron police. The standoff ended when Campbell was tasered and placed into custody.

Award of Excellence, Photographer of the Year - Phil Masturzo / Akron Beacon Journal

Alexander Campbell, in handcuffs, is calmed by a neighbor as he is taken away from his home on Idaho Avenue after an hour-long standoff with Akron Police.