2008 ONPA Pictures of the Year

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

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

Some good samaritans spent about 45 minutes helping the RTA Circulator bus slowly spin his way down Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights during a huge snowstorm on March 8, 2008. The bus pushers, all neighbors, some who have never even met before, said they were out for hours helping snowed-in motorists dig out, one after another. They helped about 15 cars get unstuck. With hoops and cheers, the crowd finally pushed the bus on it's way down Euclid Heights Blvd. The winter blast left many people calling it the worst since 1978.

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

Juanita White, 61 (left) of Canfield and Jayme Stewart, 28, (right) a graduate student in social work at Youngstown State University, cheers for presidential hopeful Barack Obama as he enters the Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University.

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

A program and hat rest on folded seats as a mourner reaches for his glasses at the funeral for US Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones at Public Hall in Cleveland. Tubbs, a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, didn't live to see the historic election. Tubbs died of an unexpected brain aneurysm.

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

Chandler Owens, 6, on bottom right, tries to wipe a tear away from the face of his mother, Ericka Owens, as his sister Sydni, 8, left, looks on during the 2008 Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Service at Huntington Park. The family was presented a plaque in honor of Cleveland Police Officer Derek Owens, Ericka's husband, who was killed in the line of duty.

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

Members of the Cavaliers Scream Team sport John McCain Halloween masks before their half-time show at the game opener against the Charlotte Bobcats at Quicken Loans Arena The Scream Team dance act did a presidential spoof to Michael Jackson's "Beat It'.

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

Carolyn Case, 16, left, hugs Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy teammate Katie Gillespie, 16, right, after she finished in first place in the women's 1600 meter run during the 28th annual Austintown Fitch Optimist meet in Youngstown Gillespie finished second. Gillespie won the women's 3200 meter run.

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

With alien-green goggles, four-year-old Henry Tavens of Solon climbed the stairs for the whale slide at the Solon Community Center's outdoor pool. His mother, Sheri Tavens, said Henry has been at the pool every day this summer.

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

Radio City Rockette Rockette Kara Jones takes pictures with admirers, all different shapes and sizes, after leading Cleveland's Longest Kick Line in front of the State Theatre on Euclid Avenue. Jones and her fellow Rockette Jessica Pack did a tutorial on their famous kicks for the participants who did a total of 25 kicks together in a line. The event was to kick off the entire 2008 PlayhouseSquare season where tickets purchased between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today will have no handling fees.

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

Ruth Harris got a president for her 91st birthday Tuesday when President George W. Bush stopped to sit next to her after leaving his Republican fund-raiser for John McCain in Gates Mills. Harris sat in her front yard with a sign that read, "Please stop to take 91st Birthday Pic."

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

Andrew Pratt, grounds manager at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, hangs Japanese paper lanterns from the 26-foot-high ceiling inside Clark Hall. Pratt said that they have hung around 100 lanterns throughout the building in preparation for their upcoming show called "Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan" starting April 5- June 29, 2008.

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

Sister Mary Fatima Adams, 82, left, and Sister Eileen Duffy, 84, wave at the senior girls during the "Walk of the Roses", an annual procession from St. Joseph Academy to their commencement ceremony at Our Lady of Angels church. "It's always a beautiful sight to me," said Sister Eileen. "They look so beautiful in their white gowns and red roses. It's the hope of the future." Sister Eileen graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1941 and Sister Mary Fatima graduated from the school in 1948.

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

Mariane Tere, 10, hates to see the last day of the Aspire Program end as she clutches one of her new best friends Ashley Braxton, 10, (only chin showing on right) in a tearful goodbye at Hathaway Brown School. The Aspire Program is a tuition-free academic and leadership program that targets high-achieving girls in under-resourced public schools. At Aspire, these girls are mentored by high school and college students whose teaching talent is being cultivated for future schools.

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

"I have been born with a wonderful gift of not just talking to my animals, but hearing what they say back," says animal communicator Doris Straka, 62. It was a turtle that Straka first heard when she was two years old. She has used her gift for years now working as a liaison between veterinarians and the farm animals at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark, helping the doctors gain more understanding of an animal's plight.

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

The Zoppe Family Circus welcomes guests hungry for the old-world, traditional Italian circus experience. The 50-foot tent, erected strictly by man-power alone, houses the one-ring circus with 500 seats. Giovanni Zoppe, who now runs the circus, is a sixth-generation circus performer who grew up in his family's circus. The Zoppe Family Circus started in Italy in 1842 and was brought to the United States by his father Alberto Zoppe where the traveling circus performs in almost all of the 50 states.

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

Acrobat Adrian Poema Jr., 5, juggles rings hoping to attract people to buy tickets for their circus. Adrian is part of "The Poema Family", acrobats originally from Argentina.

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

Giovanni Zoppe balances aerialist Amy Riccio in front of a gathered crowd hoping to sell tickets to their circus at the Italian American Festival during a stop in Canton.

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

Giovanni Zoppe dresses up as "Nino" inside his crowded trailer before his show at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire. The Zoppe Family Circus travels constantly in the summer, living with family and animals in tight spaces.

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

Aerialist Amy Riccio gets a sneak kiss from Lady during the performers' prayer circle just before the first show at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire. Before each and every show, all performers grab hands and take turns at a prayer. The dogs are members of "Rudolf's Performing Canines from Bavaria".

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

Sporting full Bavarian regalia, poodles Nicky, left, and Ginger hang in mid air backstage in the hands of their trainer, Carla Heinan, moments before the velvet curtains open for their grand entrance during the Zoppe Family Circus performance at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire in Rock Creek.

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

Giovanni Zoppe paints his own face of makeup for every show when he performs as "Nino" the clown.

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

Giovanni Zoppe (center) says hello to the crowd backstage at the Italian American Festival in Canton. Giovanni, who performs as the clown "Nino", is a sixth-generation circus performer who grew up in his family's circus. The Zoppe Family Circus started in Italy in 1842 and was brought to the United States by his father Alberto Zoppe, left. Alberto appeared in Cecil B. DeMille's film "The Greatest Show on Earth" as a circus performer.

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

Giovanni Zoppe performs to a packed house as the clown 'Nino" inside their one-ring tent . The 50-foot-tall tent, erected strictly by man-power alone, houses the one-ring circus with 500 seats.

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

Giovanni Zoppe performs as "Nino" inside the 60 X 90 foot tent. The one-ring circus is 50 feet tall and can house up to 500 guests. The tent is erected strictly by man power alone, no machines.

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

Ringmaster Tom Eggers claps for the performers as he tries to keep the velvet curtains from blowing inward caused by the fierce rainstorm outside in Canton.

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

A circus crew member changes a light bulb on the wood sign above the performer's entrance inside the tent at the end of their show

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

On Oct. 27, 1984, a headline in The Plain Dealer read: ' Disgusted judge gives repeat offender 30 years for rape.' Reporter Joanna Connors writes: "The story followed standard newspaper protocol. In it the victim was anonymous. In this version, the victim has a name. I am Joanna Connors and I am telling the story I kept private for 23 years. I'm doing it for all of the others who have survived sexual assault in silence, ashamed and afraid to tell their stories." Connors writes of her emotional journey, searching for information about her attacker, David Francis.

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

Joanna Connors walks across the grounds at Pickaway Correctional Institution, one of the many stops on her journey to find out about the life of her attacker, David Francis. Francis spent time at this prison in southern Ohio. "I knew he had gone to prison," Connors writes. " Beyond that, I didn't know much more than his name. Yet, if I made a list of the most influential people in my life, Dave would be near the top. He had controlled so much of how I lived my life."

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

A ghost light burns on the stage of Eldred Theater on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Connors had not been back here since she was raped on the stage in 1984. "Like most rape victims, I was ashamed," Connors writes. " My shame was not about the sexual nature of the crime. It was about how I saw myself. I was ashamed of trusting this stranger, when I'm supposed to be a skeptical, observant reporter, and of not fighting back.

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

Connors started her research in the basement of the Old Courthouse in Cleveland. Boxes piled to the ceiling hold files and trial transcripts. "In the hallway, towers of stacked boxes formed a cardboard canyon of mortgage foreclosures. Divorce actions... murder trials, rape trials." Connors writes. " I felt hollow. I had entered a repository of grief, a warehouse holding the collective pain, bitterness, fear and sorrow of the people of Cuyahoga County. " Case Number Cr-193108: The State of Ohio v. David Francis, sat unread for more than 20 years.

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

"I put my hand to my neck, where the dagger had been, " Connors recalls. "It felt sticky. I looked at my hand. A bright red smear. Yes: my blood. I looked down and saw more blood on my skirt. In that instant, everything came into sharp focus, as if someone had adjusted the lens on my fuzzy view of the world. 'Now', I thought. 'Now is when it happens to me.' I was 30 years old and this was the day I would die. " This typed page is part of the court transcript of Joanna's rape case.

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

University Circle police arrested twenty-seven-year-old David Francis July 10, 1984, the day after the rape, in the same place at the same time of day. The gold cross dangled in front of Joanna's face as he was raping her. David was just 12 when he got the first entry on his rap sheet; 53 other convictions followed. As Connors looked through the files, someone had scrawled the word "Deceased".

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

This neighborhood, inundated with religious signs, belies the crime-ridden streets where David Francis grew up in Dorchester, a neighborhood of Boston. His father, a pimp, would hang his sons on hooks and beat them with belts. Broke bones. He told his daughters they were nothing but a bed sheet for men. "Them kids didn't have any choice but to turn out the way they did," said Charlene Blakney, sister of David Francis.

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

It was heartbreaking for Joanna Connors to only find overgrown weeds where her attacker grew up. She wanted to feel and touch a part of the sadness and poverty that was David Francis' life. His home had since been burnt to the ground in an arson fire. " I used to tell people this family was cursed." David was a real loner. Had a problem with rage. "Nobody in the family knew much about David, 'cause whatever he was doing, he would keep it to himself. It was like David was this big mystery," Charlene said.

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

Phillip Francis, younger brother of David Francis, in the Massachusetts Treatment Center, a prison for sex offenders. Their father beat all of the boys. "I spend a lot of time crying. It's not my fault I was born, I didn't ask to be born, and I don't know what would possess any man to hurt a child like that, especially his own family. What did us kids do to deserve such a tragic life?" Phillip is in prison for molesting his nephew.

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

Laura Wills, David Francis' sister, was the youngest of the eight children. "I kept my distance from David, " Laura said. " He was always a problem child. I think he was disturbed in the head." When she was younger, Laura succumbed to drugs and prostitution. Even David, her own brother, wanted to pimp her out. She too, was raped. Now, age 43, she has a three-year-old son, goes to church four times a week and says that the church saved her life.

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

Pastor Anthony Singleton preaches at Emmanuel Christian Center in Cleveland, attended by Laura Wills, one of David Francis' sisters. "Say: 'How I was raised can't hurt me,' " he prompts. "Say: My past might be messed up, but my future is bright.' " For years, Laura Wills has fought drug addiction and depression, two things she blames on her violent childhood.

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

David Francis died in prison on Aug. 18, 2000. The grave is marked with a number, not a name. He is No. 130, marked by a small stone, in the inmate cemetery at Pickaway Correctional Institution in southern Ohio. The department of corrections buried his unclaimed body here, where he lies with 1,236 other inmates. "I looked down at the stone: No. 130.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

A friend carries Dustin Carter to a match to save wear and tear on his leg stumps. His stumps are very sore and tender due to his training schedule. Hillsboro high school wrestler Dustin Carter losts his arms and legs to a childhood blood infection. He had only one loss during the regular season and made the OHSAA State Finals. He did not win a match at the state championship but won the hearts of the crowd and was given a special recognition and inducted into the wrestling hall of fame, resulting in a standing ovation at the end of the meet.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter is a regular kids in every way, but he has no arms and legs. Still he takes his place on a sofa in the locker room to play video games with his friends.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter insists on taping his own leg stumps and arm stumps. He uses his stumps and teeth to tear tape during the process.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter uses his legs and lower body strength to flip an opponent during a win in a qualifying meet on the regional level.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Making his way back to the bleachers to sit with his girlfriend, Dustin Carter is patted on the back by people he passes on the steps after a match win.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter is tickled by his girlfriend as they sit together between matches.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter takes his place on the medal stand. A win here enabled him to go to the state finals in Columbus, Ohio.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter lies on the mat after losing in a qualifying round at the state tournament. A second loss, later in the day eliminated him from the tournament.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

An opposing coach reaches out to shake the stump of Dustin Carter after he was defeated and left the wrestling mat.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Dustin Carter is carried from the arena floor by his coach after he was eliminated from the tournament. His tears of disappointment were later replaced by his pride in "achieving a lifelong dream of participating in the state finals".

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Called to the arena floor to be honored and inducted into the wrestling hall of fame, Dustin Carter was cited for his spirit and courage in his efforts to make the state tournament and achieved much more in " inspiring athletes".

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Sally Whalen (left) and her daughter Michelle Tucker from Dayton, Ky. were happy to find Guitar Hero. At 5 am, the Best Buy in Florence, Ky. was teeming with bargain hunters on a Black Friday morning.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Janet Tate cries as she explains that she "fears she is a disappointment to her two daughters who have always looked up to her". Tate lost her job in a layoff at Duke Energy.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

A camper with prosthetic legs makes his way across suspended pads on the ropes course. Kids from across the nation attended the Amputee Coalition of America Youth Camp art Camp Joy in Warren County. Kids from 10-16 years old experienced summer camp despite their disabilities.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The Obama campaign ran every day from morning and well into the night. The events often blended into a seamless portrait of a day on the campaign trail. Here in the day's first event the sun shines down on candidate Barack Obama in Dayton.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Hands reach out in hope of touching the candidate.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Barack Obama hands a child back to the crowd as other reach out to touch the hand of the man they hoped woul be their next President.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Hands grab on to the hand of Barack Obama (wearing his trademark metal KIA commemorative bracelet) as he works the rope line near the end of an event.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Candidate Barack Obama takes the stage at a mid-morning event with is usual sprint of the steps to the top of the stage.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Photographers jostle for position for the same photo as then nominee Sen. Barack Obama makes remarks at a rally.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Barack Obama sips bottled water, without a label to avoid product placement issues, a necessity for a man who spends his entire day talking.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

At a Columbus rally, a flag held by a supporter is a symbol and a staple of every rally.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Candidate Barack Obama takes time to stop and hold the hand of an elderly woman in a wheelchair. The stop was unscheduled and a small crowd gathered as word spread that the candidate had made the impromptu appearance.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

At a nighttime rally, a supporter with a flag, like thousands throughout the day, was fresh eyed and excited to see her candidate. It had been a long wait, but the smile in her eye reflected her pleasure.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The sky now dark is illuminated by stadium lights as Barack Obama winds up his stump speech. It was one of three from the day, and in a few hours it will begin again.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

A funeral service, including a procession and a Catholic funeral mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, for Capt. Robin Broxterman and Firefighter Brian Schira, the two firefighters who died in the line of duty was filled with pomp. Firefighters from around the country filled the streets. Family and friends paid tribute with salutes and tears in the emotional service.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Flag draped caskets carried from the church will be placed on the fire trucks for transport to the cemetery.Friends and family lined the steps outside the church.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Family and friends hold back emotions as one of two caskets is carried past them and on to a waiting fire truck.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

From left, the mother of a fallen firefighter Brian Schira, the father and mother of Robin Broxterman display a wide range of emotion as they wait for the caskets to be placed on fire trucks following the church service.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

"It was like losing a brother", said one policeman. Colerain Township police officers huddle as they console each other while listening to a speaker talking about the lives and sacrifice of the two dead firefighters.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

The turnout gear of Brian Schira on the front bumper of the truck carrying him to his grave.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Flag carrying first responders and the symbolic ladder truck salute with a two tone flag and a US flag notes the passing of two firefighters.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Washington Nationals pitcher Colin Balester falls to the ground and reaches tag out Edwin Encarnacion as he attempted a bunt.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Michael E. Keating / Cincinnati Enquirer

Tracks from cars, parked in a downtown parking lot, make a graphic pattern following snow and ice overnight.

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

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

Ramanda Yoder, 6, sits in the back of her uncle's buggy as her cousin, Krista Miller, 12, pulls back the blinds on the buggy. Ramanda was headed to Mt. Hope to be picked up by her father.

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

Wellington's Callie McConnell, wearing the yellow batting helmet, is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winning run in extra innings.

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

A woman brushes off her car in a parking lot on W. 3rd and Superior Ave. All day snows caused massive traffic backups on all arteries leaving the city.

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

Betti Buck prays before the meal during The Shul. The Shul is a synagogue without walls that was started by Rabbi Edward Sukol. Instead of meeting in a synagogue, they meet in member's homes.

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

Chloe Felder, a first graders at St. Francis School does her morning exercises before sitting down to do her school work August 28, 2008. St. Francis school is one of the anchors that support the E. 71 St. community. St. Francis School, which relies heavily on school vouchers to keep it's doors open, will not close with the latest school restructuring plan. (Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer)

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

Marcia Fudge fist bumps supporter Elona White (left) during Fudge's victory party. Fudge was elected to to the 11th Congressional District, taking the seat of Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who died suddenly from a brain aneurysm.

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

Lisa Seppi sells gourmet cheeses at the West Side Market. Seppi is one of the newer, younger vendors that are setting up stands at the market.

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

A bomb sniffing dog checks out the stairs at Burke Lakefront Airport before the arrival of Senator John McCain arrives in Cleveland. McCain's visit to Cleveland was his last public event before he arriving at the Republican National Convention.

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

Joseph Ferrell, 14 months, of Cleveland, waves the American flag while in the arms of his father, Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Ferrell during the return of the 237th Support Battalion. The battalion was honored in a welcome home ceremony at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.

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

A man with an umbrella makes his way down a path towards the Azerbaijan Cultural Garden where the sculpture called "Hearth," waits to be unveiled.

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

Zarhia Blue puts her violin under her chin and raises her bow to the vertical position as she waits for the cue from teacher Yuko Nakamura. The five-year-old takes Suzuki violin at the Broadway School of Music & the Arts.

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

Spectators walk into an exhibit called Convolutions at the Ingenuity Festival. The display uses fiber optics and holographic imagery. The Ingenuity Festival focuses on merging art with technology.

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

Crush wide receiver Ben Nelson has the ball knocked away from him by Gladiators defensive back Alex Teems in an Arena Football League game.

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

East 71St., in Cleveland, typifies what is happening to our neighborhoods. Drug dealing, foreclosed homes, an aging population compounded by an aging housing stock has put neighborhoods in crisis. Desiree Smith holds her two-month-old daughter Brionna Crute as she watches from her porch the goings on E. 71 St. Smith moved in with her family three weeks ago. Her mother lives in the adjoining unit. The two apartments are next to a complex of abandoned units.

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

The neighborhood of E. 71St. would not be considered bliss, but Bliss Ave. does dead-end into the street.

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

Annabelle Rock leaves her fenced yard as her daughter Deborah holds back the family's German Shepherd.

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

Radu Onet puts the finishing touches on a boarded up home on E. 71 St. Onet works for Sunra Services which cuts the grass on foreclosed properties.

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

Joshua Olavarria, 3, walks past a former martial arts studio on E. 71 St. Olavarria has lived on the street fro six months, having moved from the Tremont neighborhood.

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

Linda Shay laments about the changes in her neighborhood, including chasing off drug boys from her porch.

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

Pam Petty, center, share a laugh with Pat Waina (left) while sampling some of the offerings from Blue Pike Farm, an urban farm situated in the city of Cleveland.

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

Linda Shay closes a third floor window in a house she purchased and is renovating. Shay was arrested for growing more than 250 marijuana plants in her basement and backyard.

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

First graders at St. Francis School make their way back into the school after being shown where to go in the event of a fire drill, August 28, 2008. St. Francis school is one of the anchors that support the E. 71 St. community.

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

The Rev. Virgil Hasbery inside the home he purchased on E. 71 St. that serves as transitional housing for former drug addicts and a church home for his Old Landmark Christian Ministries.

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

On February 29, 2008, Norm Martin, a mechanic, was working on a 70,000 fire truck when for no apparent reason, the truck fell off the jacks severing Norm's two arms. Quick thinking by his coworkers and the paramedics allowed surgeons to reattach Norm's arms. Vanessa Caretto, occupational therapist at MetroHealth Center, manipulates the recently attached hand of Norm Martin, who had both arms severed in an industrial accident.

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

With little usage of his two arms, and little to do, Norm Martin has a lot of time to immerse himself in his thoughts.

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

Dr. Bram Kaufman, left, and Dr. Kevin Malone, center, examine the surgically attached left arm of Norm Martin. Kaufman and Malone were to of the three surgeons who headed teams that reattached Martin's two arms.

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

Jeanie Martin leans on Norm as the two wait for the succession of therapists and doctors to come through to examine Norm.

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

Norm Martin's son, Jake, straightens out Norm's pants as they get ready to go to Norm's fundraiser. Martin is unable to do even the simplest of tasks.

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

Norm Martin tips back a bottle of Brisk ice tea with the help of his therapist, Kathy Stroh. Martin is slowly regaining the use of his hands after an industrial accident.

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

Joyce Tyler (center) and Pam Tomm (right) have a little fun with Norm Martin as they shape and form a brace for his right hand. Martin had both his arms reattached after an industrial accident.

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

Jeanie Martin combs Norm's hair as they get ready to go to Norm's fundraiser put on by Jeanie's niece, Destany.

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

Norm Martin gets a kiss from Josie Turner, Jeanie's great aunt at the fundraiser.

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

Norm Martin practices putting for the first time in his dining room. Martin, who loved to golf before his accident, is regaining the use of his arms after an industrial accident.

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

Jake Martin gives a hug to his father, Norm, after coming home after a day at school.

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

Norm Martin sits on his porch as he watches family members move him out of his home. Martin short sold his home and moved into an apartment in Strongsville.