2012 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Cody Venham, 12, stands with his horse, Streakin' Crow, in the middle of his drive way in Belpre. Venham started in rodeos when he was seven, specializing in heading, but also competes in barrels, goat timing, and steer roping. "Although he is very young, he races real close to all the older men he competes against," said his father, Dave.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

City Wide window washers clean the outside of the Omni Dallas Hotel.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Grace Horsley helps slaughter chickens with friends and family members in Athens.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Alexis Wokocha reacts to Bill Clinton coming on stage at Covelli Centre in Youngstown during a Biden rally.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

A woman looks in and passes by New Golden Daisy, a quick in and out Chinese restaurant, in Chinatown district of San Francisco.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Intro: Scott Barney and Scott Stauffer live in the Castro district, with their adopted daughter, Azaria, 5. Being gay parents and having a bi-racial family, they have been through trials. Barney and Scott Stauffer talk to Azaria about using her brakes properly. She had recently just got her training wheels off.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

A picture of the Stauffer-Barney family hangs in their office as Stauffer and Azaria cuddle during the workday. The couple work from home, Barney works for a French software company and Stauffer works for Cisco. They have been married twice, once in 2004 and again in 2008 due to legal issue with gay marriage. Barney and Stauffer adopted Azaria officially last winter, but have been fostering her for the past two years.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Azaria gets the mail right outside of their home. “She is a very independent girl” Stauffer said. “It's just like any straight family, our biological instincts just kicked in when we saw her for the first time.” Stauffer said.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Stauffer leans on Barney’s shoulder. “We met each other in a bar, and through friends,” said Barney “We were both in relationships at the time.” They say their friendship circle has changed since adopting, some friends were more supportive than others, but they wouldn't change anything.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Azaria gets one of her braids redone by her Dad. Barney explains that he learned through some books and YouTube how to take care of her African American hair. “We do her hair every 2-3 weeks and it is a total process,” said Barney. “This among other things are going to be a challenge because she doesn’t have a female in her family.”

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

The family plays a board game together in the evenings sometimes, to limit TV watching. Barney explains, "There will be tough times to come as she understand racial diversity."

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Azaria waits for her Dad, Stauffer as he goes in to cast his vote on election day in the Castro district in San Francisco.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

The family gives their thanks before eating dinner together.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Stauffer helps Azaria take a bath before bed time.

First place, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Roussos / Ohio University

Stauffer says good night and puts his daughter to sleep.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Ohio University

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Bessie Hardrick, grandmother of Kwatez Hardrick, a Vandercook Lake High School senior who drowned a few weeks prior to graduation, hugs Sergeant Michael Monroe of the Army National Guard who accepted her grandson's diploma to honor his dream of being a soldier. Hardrick's memory was honored and his last high school essay were read during Vandercook Lake's graduation ceremony.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Jackson High School sophomore Javon Greca, 15, waits on the sidelines during a 7x7 passing scrimmage at Dungy Field in Jackson, MI.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Owners of Snow Ridge Farm Mike and Libby Myers support proposed legislation to make other types of gambling legal at horse racing tracks. A baby filly was born to Ustealmysunshine at 10:15am Friday morning. In a year and a half, that filly will begin training to race. "If this bill passes, she could be worth $10,000 or more," Mike said. "There would be a reason to buy a Michigan-bred horse." Mike and Libby are a prime example of how this bill would affect the lives of more than just racehorse owners. "I don't even want to make a ton of money," Libby said. "I just wanna do our passion and pay the bills."

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

David Nyssen, 18, holds his family cat Baby close after being reunited with him at Michigan State University's Veterinary Clinic in East Lansing Friday evening. Baby was shot in the head with a crossbow in the Nyssen family's neighborhood in Jackson, MI.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Darrell Gray, 42, had his left eye removed in January after doctors discovered he had melanoma. Gray has been driving forklifts for almost 20 years and management at Begley Lumber never questioned his ability to drive a lift after the removal of his eye. "I run into stuff sometimes," Gray said. "But it's alright."

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

A Hanover Horton High School football player sprints across the field during a 7x7 passing scrimmage at Dungy Field in Jackson, MI.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Emma Stanton, 5, smiles up at her grandmother Kaye Richardson after receiving a sparkling pink manicure at His & Her Family Salon in Jackson, MI. Richardson, who brought her granddaughter along to her hair appointment, told Emma she looked like a princess with her shiny new nails

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Sergeant Keith Mack, 31, rests outside before the deployment ceremony for the 1461st Transportation Company at Parkside Middle School. This will be Sergeant Mack's second tour overseas.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Amanda Erb, 23, and her fiancé Mel Martin, 29, of Piqua, embraced after sharing wedding vows at a mock gay marriage ceremony in Cleveland. Erb and Martin had been together for five years before deciding to marry.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Chistopher Klavon, 53, of Jackson, MI, is a burn survivor. His family van, with his wife and four kids inside, was broadsided by a drunk driver on May 31, 1991. Klavon's wife and mother of their four children, Kay, died on impact. Klavon was trapped in the burning vehicle and sustained severe burns over 75% of his body. Despite his injuries, Klavon uses his experiences to help others and save lives.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon holds a slide of a photo taken right after his accident. Seventy five percent of his body was severely burned. Doctors say it is a miracle he survived such a horrifying accident.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon catches up with burn survivor and former camper turned counselor Lee Eicher, 27, of Colon, MI, during the welcome procession at Great Lakes Burn Camp. Klavon started Great Lakes Burn Camp in the 90's to help young burn survivors find the strength to live in their new bodies. Eicher was a camper during the first few years of GLBC in the late 90's and remembers Klavon as one of his counselors.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon shares his story with a group of first-time offender drunk drivers at Village Hope Church on Cooper St. "I've done this so many times, but I still get a little nervous," Klavon said. "Every time I share my story, it's still hard."

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon eats a father's day meal with his second oldest son, Corey, left. At the time of the crash, Corey, 8, and his older brother Allen, 9, pulled their unconscious sister Erin, 4, from the burning vehicle, saving her life. Corey and Allen were the only passengers of the vehicle not injured in the crash.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon danced with new friend Carly Bernard during a fast song at the first Jammin' in Jackson concert event of the season on June 7. Klavon considers himself a ladies man through and through.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon rests against the side of his daughter Erin Klavon's truck after a long day at Great Lakes Burn Camp. It had been five years since Klavon, it's founder, had stepped foot on the grounds of the camp. "I think it bothers Dad that he's not so involved anymore," Erin said. "But he loves the place anyway. I think he's just happy he can help kids like him."

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon changes the bloody bedding from his father Walter's bed after wounds from a difficult oral surgery tore open in the middle of the night. He cares for Walter every day, cooking him three balanced meals a day. “I was 13 years old at the time, so I was thrust into the position of being the man of the house,” Klavon said. “So I’ve been taking care of the home here for many years.”

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Klavon places his father's favorite Detroit Tigers hat on his head during a visit to Allegiance Health Center where Walter was recovering from excessive blood loss after oral surgery.

Second place, Student Photographer of the Year - Hannah Potes / Kent State University

Despite all Klavon has endured, he maintains a positive outlook in life and tries to pass that message on to those he meets. "It's really important to be happy with yourself and to help others when and where you can," Klavon said. “I do know that everything happens for a reason; the only thing you can control is how you think and react to things in life.”

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Caleb Jensen and Chelsea Cox strip down to their underwear, as partygoers cheer. College Fest is an annual block party on College Avenue in Kent. Partygoers come to dance and drink, starting in the early morning and throughout the night.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

The partygoers didn't let the wet April weather stop them from enjoying the festivities. As the day went on people embraced the bad weather: loosing clothes, jumping in puddles and even building a mudslide.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

A group of partygoers attempts to calm down their friend. As the party continued tensions were raised and alcohol fueled fights started to break out all over College Avenue.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

The violence escalated and police were forced to intervene, breaking up a large fight and bringing a momentary lull to the fighting. Partygoers took up arms, throwing bottles at the police officers, which were outnumbered 30 to 1. Police officers were forced off the street.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

A man flicks off police officers as they attempt to gain control of College Avenue.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Once the police left to regroup, fights started breaking out again. The fights were vicious some involved multiple people attacking one person.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

The group of men who attacked this man continued to hit and kick him after he had lost consciousness.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Police officers return to College Avenue to restore order and allow medical vehicles access to the street.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

A partygoer kicks a can of tear gas off the street. A police task force returned to College Avenue in an armored personnel carrier. Armed with less-than-lethal munitions the police began to force partygoers off of College Avenue.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

A police task force lined up at the end of College Avenue. By 7 p.m. police officers, with the help of less-than-lethal munitions, had forced College Fest participants off the street and by the end of the day had arrested over 30 people.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

"Man, I was the dumbest man in the U.S. Army," said Roy Schott, 85, while talking about being drafted into the military. One year later Sergeant Schott was put in charge of a motor pool in Korea. When Schott returned he opened up Schott’s Auto Service in London, Kentucky. The shop has been at 711 North Main St. since 1964.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Freshman Ian Miller takes down his Central Michigan opponent in a 149 lb match. Kent State beat Central Michigan 22-13 to remain unbeaten in the Mid-American Conference

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Junior Rebecca Lee attempts to score during Kent State's games against Michigan State. The Flashes fell to the Spartans 4-2.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Sergeant Chris Clark, Staff Sergeant Brian Sealing and other members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team prepare for their jump during the Cleveland Airshow.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Juanice Johnson tries to tell her 6-year-old son, Modou Jaye, about the important role that Martin Luther King, Jr. played during the Civil Rights Movement, as he hops from square to square at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial during the MLK Day celebration. This was the first MLK Day the memorial has been open on since construction was finished in August.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Massillon Tiger's DJ Brown reflects during halftime. The Tigers extended their 11-game win streak after they crushed the 5th ranked Fitch Falcons 34-14.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Team colors and the Obie mascot define the jacket and tie of Rollie Layfield, Massillon Tigers Booster president for 1993.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Portrait of the 2009 Massillon Tigers football booster president Nick Pribich for the Massillon Museum.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

On March 2, 2012 an EF-4 tornado touched down in southern Indiana for 49 minutes the tornado ravaged the area, completely destroying Marysville and eventually making it's way to Henryville, throwing buses and destroying everything in it's path. "This is just a building, the church is still here," said Terry Lanoue, pastor of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, on March 3, 2012. On March 2, tornados hit southern Indiana leaving widespread damage in their wake.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

"I guess this is all I can salvage," Tony Sherrad said, while holding a pile of his muddy clothes. Marysville, a town of about 1,900 people, was almost wiped off the map leaving community members’ homeless.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Community members stand on the roof of one of the few buildings left standing in Marysville, Indiana surveying the damage as a helicopter flies over delivering supplies to workers.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Community members embrace as Elain Vienna hugs her thirteen-year-old dog, Ben, after he is pulled from what is left of her house after a tornado tore through Henryville, Indiana. Ben had been missing since the tornado touched down and was thought to be dead.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Almost immediately after tornadoes tore through southern Indiana, workers began clearing what was left of their homes so they could begin the rebuilding process.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

The entrance of a church that was left standing after a tornado destroyed Marysville, Indiana. This church, a post office, a hardware store, a water tower and a hand-full of houses were the only buildings left standing.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

A mangled truck and what is left of a house sit in a yard a day after an EF-4 tornado ripped through Marysville, Indiana.

Third place, Student Photographer of the Year - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

A cross still attached to the steeple of a church in Marysville, Indiana after tornadoes touched down. The winds from the tornadoes were so powerful that debris from Marysville was found in Ohio and Kentucky.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Sam Morehead, 6, watches the Rodeo City Riders drill team perform at the 54th Annual Mid-Western Rodeo at Hoffmann Memorial Park in Manawa, Wisconsin.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Members of the Army's Appleton-based 395th Ordnance Company return home to Outagamie County Regional Airport in Greenville, Wis. They took a trolley ride down College Ave., then proceeded to the reserve center in Appleton. They have been in Afghanistan working mainly at Bagram Airfield since last summer.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Malakhai Robinette, 8 of Athens, waits behind the Old Settlers Reunion stage with the other Little Miss pageant contestants in Jacksonville, Ohio. She was later crowned Little Miss 2012-2013.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Fr. Jewel Aytona of Southern California adjusts his cross after beatboxing about resisting sin, during his seminar at Lifest, an annual Christian rock festival at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Old Bikes hang from a tree outside an antique store in Marietta, Ohio.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Family Force 5's lead singer Solomon Jerome Olds sings the band's opening song at Lifest, while crowd surfing in a bubble at Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Gary George, a Living History Enthusiast from Albany, Ohio, holds his handcrafted 17th century rifle, while surveying his backyard in the colonial attire he wears for historical reenactments. George spent 500 hours crafting this rifle out of curled maple wood.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Kaela Ricket, 8, stands on her bed in her room where the walls were just freshly painted lavendar. Kaela has lived at the Susan B. Anthony Womyn's Land Trust, the women's intentional community in Athens, Ohio, for the past four months with her moms Allison and Angela.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Tire tracks follow a path that is covered by dense early morning fog in Athens, Ohio.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Jim Forshey, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, poses for a portrait, after performing at a wedding reception in Vienna, WV. He is a second generation Elvis tribute artist, who enjoys singing Elvis's songs from his concert series in the 1970s.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

A photo of Jim Forshey posing with his dad, Jim Forshey, on Christmas Eve in 1985 is taped to the basement wall where Jim practies for shows. Both father and son are Elvis tribute artists in the Parkersburg area.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Jim Forshey of Parkersburg, West Virginia performs at Kyle and Tara Schreckengost's wedding at the Grand Pointe Reception Center in Vienna, West Virginia.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Kyle and Tara Schreckengost dance for the first time as a married couple, as Jim Forshey, a second generation Elvis tribute artist, sings "Hawaiian Wedding Song" at the Grand Pointe Reception Center in Vienna, West Virginia.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Stacie Forshey shows her husband Jim the set list for Kyle and Tara Schreckengost's wedding at the Grand Pointe Reception Center in Vienna, West Virginia. The set was two hours, so consequentially he had to fill the time by repeating songs.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Jim and Stacie Forshey laugh as their youngest son, Preston, pretends to sing into a microphone before bedtime. Their oldest son, Devon, competes for his parent's attention and begs his dad to play football with him.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Jim Forshey's wig and sunglasses are displayed in his basement, where he practices twice a week. He will only wear the wig when he is performing because he doesn't want people to think of him as the Elvis guy, when he is not performing.

Award of Excellence, Student Photographer of the Year - Meg Vogel / Ohio University

Jim Forshey practices in his basement for his first Elvis tribute artist competition, the Poconos Elvis Mountain Tribute Artist Festival. The winner of the competition goes to Memphis to compete in the International Elvis Tribute Artist competition.