First Place, Portrait Personality - Diego James Robles / Ohio UniversityA 15-year veteran of Aquadettes, a senior synchronized swimming group, Margo Bouer, 73, strikes a pose after rehearsals, on Aug. 26, in Laguna Woods. Aquadettes is preparing for their 45th annual Aqua Follies show in Laguna Woods Village. "The nun was my idea because I used to be a psychiatric nurse; same costume," Bouer said.
Second Place, Portrait/Personality - Lisa DeJong / The Plain DealerYou may see Ryan Kurpik, 9, of Parma, jumping out from behind a tree wearing this vintage Russian gas mask at "The Haunted Yard" covering three back yards in Parma. The event is a very successful (and scary) fundraiser for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
Third Place, Portrait Personality - Diego James Robles / Ohio UniversityLittle Miss Chauncey Dover, Heidi Jo McGrady, 7, of Logan, screams and cries during a portrait session after her favorite horse, Freckles, crewed on her brand-new pink dress, on May 31, 2009. Heidi immediately yelled at her father, “Freckles ate my dress!”
Award of Excellence, Portrait/Personality - Lisa DeJong / The Plain DealerChester R. Szetela, 64, of Olmsted Township, has let his eyebrows, along with his hair, grow for over 35 years with out cutting them. Chester grew them in protest of the Vietnam War for which he was drafted.
Award of Excellence, Portrait Personality - Ed Suba, Jr. / Akron Beacon JournalChristine LaPointe pauses to collect herself while talking about her former life as a prostitute and the struggle it has been to pull herself out of that darkness during an interview at the Rahab House. LaPointe, who is undergoing reconstructive plastic surgery after being shot in the face several years ago, joined Rahab Ministries and with the help of the group, has begun to turn her life around.
Award of Excellence, Portrait Personality - Fred Squillante / The Columbus DispatchRosemarie Rossetti laughs as her husband, Mark Leder jokingly rolls her into the bucket of an excavator after ground-breaking ceremonies for their new home. The 3,500-square-foot home will serve not only as the couple's residence but also as a "universal design living laboratory," showcasing the latest features in handicapped-accessible homes. Rossetti was paralyzed from the waist down in 1998, when a tree fell on her while she was bicycling.
