First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch After years of expensive and unsuccessful fertility treatments, Annie and Joby Johnston were ready to give up on starting a family. Then Annie's sister, Chrissy Knott offered to be a surrogate mother for the couple. At the last minute they decided to implant fertilized eggs into Annie while implanting Chrissy. The unexpected result for the Johnston's was a quad surprise. Annie and Chrissy pose for a family photo during a baby shower. Annie Johnston and her sister Chrissy Knott pose for family photos during a baby shower held in Joby's home town of Troy, Ohio.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Annie Johnston undergoes an ultrasound to monitor her babies health at Riverside Hospital's Women's Health Center while her husband Joby and pregnant sister Chrissy Knott watch the results on a wall monitor.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch A Dr. Suess themed baby shower celebrating the soon to be born quads was held for Annie and Joby Johnston in Joby's home town of Troy, Ohio.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Annie Johnston and her husband Joby open baby shower gifts while Annie's sister Chrissy Knott, who was serving as their surrogate mother looks on. Chrissy was pregnant with their twin boys.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Annie and Joby Johnston work to decorate the wall of the quads nursery at their home in Delaware about a month prior to delivery.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Annie Johnston watches as her sister Chrissy Knott is prepared for a cesarian section on October 24 at Riverside Hospital's Women's Health Center.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Dr. Jaina Lindauer presents the first of two twin boys delivered by cesarian section to Chrissy Knott while her sister Annie Johnston and her husband Joby and Chrissy's husband James look on at Riverside Hospital's Women's Health Center.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Dr. Jaina Lindauer and nurse anesthetist Diana Sipes look on as the sisters share a moment as surrogate mother Chrissy Knott holds the two boys she gave birth to for her sister Annie Johnston.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch After watching her sister birth two of her boys, birth mother Annie Johnston is helped into the operating room at Riverside Hospital to deliver two twin sisters. Her husband Joby and brother in law James Knott followed behind.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Birth mother Annie Johnston sheds a single tear as she lies on an operating table at Riverside Hospital following the successful birth of her twin girls by cesarian section on October 24, 2013.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Holding the newborns, Annie and Chrissy leave Riverside Hospital together.
First Place, Feature Picture Story - Chris Russell / The Columbus Dispatch Chrissy's oldest son, Wendell Knott helps rock one of his newborn cousins to sleep after their arrival at the Johnston home.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus Dispatch
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy Vetter 11 a special needs child gets a stern reminder of the rules he must follow after acting aggressive toward his mom Tina Vetter at their home .Despite Murphy's autism and Down syndrome he engages in a normal school and is the first child to participate in the Olentangy Youth Football Association because his parents believe keeping him in the mainstream helps Murphy from becoming institutionalized.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy Vetter 11 listens to a story along with other members of his 4th grade class. Matt Ashworth his aid and his youth football coach is a constant presence in the classroom.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy Vetter 11 works on schoolwork with his occupational specialist Adrianne Pence.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus Dispatch.In one of his favorite activities Murphy Vetter 11 leads his team the Bulldogs in pregame cheers and huddles .
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy Vetter 11 gets blocked by Mountaineer Jeremy Wicks 9.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy often draws on players and others to help him out during the game. Murphy gets some help setting up on defense from referee Don Alexander in a game against the Mountaineers.
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy Vetter 11 is greeted by his mom Tina Vetters at the end of their game against the Mountaineers .
Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Eric Albrecht / The Columbus DispatchMurphy Vetter 11 instigates a toast with family and friends at Easy Street Cafe in Powell on a family outing .
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati Enquirer
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerWe all know that depression can be a debilitating and difficult disease to understand. But what can happen when a parent suffers from depression? Seven-year-old Hope is intertwined in her mother's chaotic life. Her sleep schedule is affected, her access to the outside world is limited, And, she often watches her mom cry. Hope's mother, Tricia Espich, says she wants more for her daughter, and says that Hope saved her from a very dark place.Hope suffers from anxiety disorder and ADHD and sensory disorder. Early stress for a young child – like a depressed mother who doesn’t interact with her – can alter the way her brain develops and overwhelm her nervous system, researchers say. In this photo, Hope rocks herself to sleep on a rocking chair in the living room on a summer afternoon. Sleep schedules are a struggle in the household. Hope is often up until late at night with her mother's anxiety. She often naps and sleeps in the living room instead of being put to bed in her bedroom. Tricia says that she allows this, and also lets her use a pacifier in the house, because Hope suffers from anxiety disorder.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerHope eats lunch by herself as her mother sleeps, and her stepfather watches television. Hope has learned to become very independent.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerOn a late summer morning, Jody Espich tries to wake up Hope, who slept on the couch overnight. Espich, of Cheviot, has been with Tricia and Hope since Hope was a baby. Jody, who also suffers from bipolar and a traumatic brain injury, took Tricia in when she was pregnant with Hope and homeless. Hope calls her dad.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerTricia breaks down after she returns from seeing her therapist. She says that therapy is really helpful, but those days are hard, as painful issues are brought to the surface.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerHope and Tricia are slow-moving on the first day of school. Hope slept in bed with Tricia, and they were both up until 2 am. Tricia said she couldn't sleep because of anxiety."I don't want to do today," Tricia said.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerAlthough it's difficult for Tricia to get up, she fixes Hope's hair, helps her brush her teeth, and gets her dressed. This is Hope's first day of second grade. Tricia says the hardest thing about depression is trying to keep it inside, and shielding her daughter from it.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerTricia walks Hope to the front door of school on the first day. Tricia gets nervous around other people, so usually it's her husband, Jody, who picks Hope up and drops her off at school. But today, Tricia had to talk to the school nurse to make sure everything was clear with Hope's medications.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerWhile Hope is at school one day, Tricia breaks down. Her husband comforts her. Tricia says that little things that other people are able to move past quickly affect her greatly.Tricia relies on Jody, who is not Hope's biological father, for steady support and to do things for Hope when she cannot.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerHope plays on the playground after school, which Jody often allows when he picks her up. Hope says that she wishes she could do more outside of the house. Hope has anxiety disorder and ADHD. Tricia says that Hope has a lot of energy that she needs to get out, and that sitting still in school can be hard for her.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerTricia Espich helps her daughter, Hope LaRoche, 7, with her homework. Tricia usually does the evening routine with Hope.
Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Carrie Cochran / Cincinnati EnquirerAfter school one day, both Hope and Tricia are tired. Tricia says that she wants more for her daughter. She wants Hope to be able to talk to her if she is depressed, and says that when she was growing up, no one seemed to care how she felt.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon Journal
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock is relieved when an an anesthesiologist reassures her that the anesthetic she will be given to undergo a mastectomy will not be harmful to her unborn child. Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer within days of discovering she was also pregnant. With the support of her family, she decided not to terminate the pregnancy and endured a mastectomy and chemotherapy while pregnant.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock cheers as the ultrasound performed by sonographer Bonnie Fierro shows that her baby survived her mastectomy surgery.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalHarry Schock watches via smart phone as his wife, Michelle Lang-Schock has her head shaved by her mother Lin Lang-Tyler at the Schocks' apartment. Schock, a truck driver, was out of town when friends and family members gathered to show their support.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock (left) comforts her brother Adam Lang as he cries after her head was shaved because of her hair loss from chemotherapy. Several family members and friends participated in the day as a show of support for Michelle.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock watches as oncology nurse Veronica Shea administers one of her chemotherapy drugs at the Summa Barberton Parkview Center.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalBella Wertman, 6, reads a bedtime story to her unborn sister as her mother Michelle Lang-Schock holds the book at their apartment in Wadsworth.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalHarry Schock holds the hand of his wife Michelle as radiation oncologist Dr. William Demas recommends radiation therapy one month after the birth of their child. Michelle was hoping to avoid radiation.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock lifts up a pink dress to show family and friends as she opens her gifts during her baby shower at her apartment.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalHarry Schock rubs the back of his wife Michelle as he attempts to comfort her through a painful contraction before the birth of their child at the Akron General Medical Center.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock smiles as her husband Harry holds their daughter Charli for the first time after her birth at the Akron General Medical Center.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMax Wertman, 9 (left) and his sister Bella, 7, react to seeing their sister Chali Schock for the first time as she is being tended to by labor and deliver nurse Nanette Salomone after her birth at the Akron General Medical Center.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Karen Schiely / Akron Beacon JournalMichelle Lang-Schock kisses her three-day-old daughter Charli during a delayed Mother's Day gathering at her family's apartment.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara Perenic / Springfield News-Sun
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara Perenic / Springfield News-SunOfficer Mike Fredendall of the Springfield Police Division does paperwork at the beginning of his shift while K-9 officer Rambo plays with a favorite ball. Rambo was the department's first K-9 officer, a dual-purpose dog trained for narcotics and tracking. He was successful on the job and popular with the community. The department planned to raise funds for a second K-9 officer. In early 2013, Rambo succumbed to cancer. His partner Mike Fredendall dealt with his grief while training with a new dog in the spring.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunOfficer Mike Fredendall weeps during a memorial service for his partner, Rambo, the department's first K-9 officer. Rambo's watch ended January 31st, 2013, after a battle with cancer.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike Fredendall's living room became a shrine to Rambo. The dog's crate became surrounded by a collection of awards the dog had merited while on duty and gifts, cards and presents from well-wishers that Mike received after the funeral. For months, the pile grew as Mike went to counseling, grieved for his friend and reluctantly applied for the position of being the next K-9 officer.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike was offered the job in the spring. He accepted and headed to training at Pine Grove Kennel in Reedsville where he met his new partner, a German Shepherd named Jack. They would dual-train and certify in narcotics and tracking, just as Mike had trained with Rambo.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunAfter his K-9 partner Rambo's death, Officer Mike Fredendall was chosen based on his previous experience to train with the incoming K-9 officer, Jack. He was sometimes conflicted and frustrated, comparing Jack to Rambo in everything from physical traits to personality to how they progressed through training. He was allowed to take Jack home to "bond" over the weekends while the pair trained at Pine Grove Kennel in Reedsville.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunReturning to training at Pine Grove Kennel in Reedsville after a weekend at home, Mike put Jack in the kennel and spent the evening looking at photos of Rambo on his laptop and reminiscing. Many of the officers he was training did not have previous experience working with a K-9 partner, nor did they understand the complicated feelings of loyalty and loss that Mike was experiencing.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunWhile at Pine Grove Kennel in Reedsville, Jack had to stay in a kennel while Mike stayed in a bunkhouse. He eagerly waited for Mike's appearance in the morning, which would signal breakfast and work.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike was overcome with a combination of stress from training with Jack and grief for Rambo while talking to Master Trainer Steven Heater in the common room of the Pine Grove Kennel bunkhouse.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike and Jack work on tracking in the woods at Pine Grove Kennel in Reedsville. Jack had been pre-trained differently than Rambo and Mike had to evolve to be consistent with his commands. Jack turned out to be excellent at tracking. His talent in this area was a boost for Mike when Jack had difficulties in other areas.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike was awed by the ferocity with which Jack would apprehend a suspect. Jack had formidable size and strength and no fear. Mike gained confidence when he released Jack to go after a suspect (Zach Schaad in the bite suit). Trainer Matt Champlin helps Mike be more commanding when he ordered Jack to release a suspect.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike and Jack made their first public appearance with the Springfield Police Department during the annual Woofstock dog health fair in May at Wiggley Field dog park. While Mike was nervous, Jack was calm and handled the crowds like a veteran.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Barbara J. Perenic / Springfield News-SunMike and Jack wrestle on the bed at Mike's home. Having passed both narcotics and tracking certification tests, they were deemed ready to hit the streets as Springfield's newest K-9 unit in late May.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramTabitha Crabtree, a single mother of three, has lived in an apartment complex run by the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Complex for 11 years. Tabitha first moved to Wilkes Villa when she was pregnant with her first child, and never thought she would stay. Although Wilkes Villa was the best place for her at the time, throughout the years, while not making nearly enough to support a family of four, Tabitha found herself stuck in what many call the "projects." With an autistic son, mounting doctors' bills, and the cost of living, Tabitha said, "I was working so we could be OK today." A month before the move, Tabitha looked at trailer homes at Colonial Oaks Mobile Home Park, in Elyria, Oh. That same day, she put a deposit down on a home; a decision which was largely influenced by her desire to stand on her own two feet and her three children--Scott, 10, Dillon, 6, and Aurora, 3. Then, on a rainy Saturday morning in July, with the help of her children and friends, Tabitha packed a truck with her family's belongings for the move. Although her new home is just 5 minutes down the road, she and her family left public housing to go home. Tabitha said, "I got my family out, and I am never coming back." ____Tabitha Crabtree, a single mother of three, has lived in an apartment complex run by the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Complex for eleven years. Tabitha first moved to Wilkes Villa when she was pregnant with her first child, and never thought she would stay. Although Wilkes Villa was the best place for her at the time, throughout the years, while not making nearly enough to support a family of four, Tabitha found herself stuck in what many call the "projects." With an autistic son, mounting doctors' bills, and the cost of living, Tabitha said, "I was working so we could be OK today."
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramDillon, 6, awaits his family's move in his bedroom at Wilkes Villa. Dillon's autism has made this move especially difficult, and important throughout the years. His mother, Tabitha Crabtree, expresses her difficulty in raising a child, let alone an autistic child, as a single mother living in what many call "the projects." There are many scratches and crayon marks left behind above his bed from his outbursts throughout the years. Throughout the afternoon on move-in day, his family constantly encouraged him that his Spongebob Square Pants bed sheets and his stuffed animal dog will make it to the new house so they could get through the move.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramIn all the excitement occurring around him, Dillon lays down on his mattress and kicks up his brothers in protest of moving. Dillon is upset to see all of his things leave the room he has lived in for years to be packed away. Although he knows he will be moving to a new home later that day, Dillon is still upset. Dillon's autism has made this move especially difficult, and throughout the afternoon on move-out day, he needed reassurance things were going to be ok.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramDillon lost his left shoe during packing and proceeded to hop on foot while his family packed and carried boxes around him for the duration of the afternoon.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramTabitha picked up a pack of cigarettes and went outside in an attempt to calm her nerves from the stress of the move. She speaks to her son, Scott, 10, about what life will be like in their new home after they are moved in. Tabitha mentioned she does not let her children play outside at the nearby playground at Wilkes Villa. She said her eldest son Scott was punched in the face by another kid at the playground, and is excited her children will be able to go out and play like other children once they move to their new home.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramTabitha Crabtree and her sons Scott, 10, and Dillon, 6, stand outside their Wilkes Villa home preparing to move on Saturday, July 27. Tabitha speaks with her eldest son Scott about packing the truck to make the move as her youngest son Dillon hops around on one foot after losing a flipflop. This will be the family's first home, as Tabitha prepares to leave the safety net of Wilkes Villa for becoming a first-time homeowner.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramAurora, 3, sits in her room at her families' new home and gazes out her window at her first backyard where she will be able to go outside and play.
Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Kristin Bauer / The (Elyria) Chronicle-TelegramTabitha and her daughter Aurora, 3, sit in the doorway of their new home for the first time as Aurora kisses her mother within minutes of entering the home. This is both Aurora and her mother's first home.
