2013 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson /

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Four-month-old twins Roseline (left) and Sophia Lays (right) kick happily in the living room of their home as mother Andrea Lays fixes Sophia's dress. The babies were fitted with cranial shaping helmets one week prior that will aid in the symmetrical growth of their skulls. The babies would eventually wear the helmets 23 hours a day for several months until their skulls grow enough to continue normally on their own.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Fargo shortstop Jake Salentine dives for a catch in attempt to tag East Grand Forks' Hunter Aubol, as he slides safely into second base during a game at Stauss Field in East Grand Forks, Minn.. East Grand Forks Legion Post 157 lost to Fargo Legion Post 2, with a final score of 3-6.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Abby Joseph, 3, stares through the front window of "Just Around the Corner Hair Salon" in Hyden, Kentucky patiently waiting to see her feminine new hair-do.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Polly Browning, 72, has lived in Hyden, Kentucky her whole life. Browning peers out the window of the car while waiting for her daughter to return to continue their morning of errands downtown.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Diamond, Ohio resident Adam Nowak browses at Sporting Defense LLC. Larry John opened the gun shop in Brimfield, Ohio in August of 2012. John said sales had been higher than ever, especially due to the gun control debate resulting from the school shootings about a month prior in Connecticut.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Caleb Landcaster, 7, swings after taking part in a luncheon at University Park in Grand Forks, N.D., a meal provided by volunteers at St. Joseph's Social Care and Thrift Store.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Kent State's first female football kicker April Goss participates in an optional team weight lift session Nov. 9, 2012. Goss stays involved in team activities even during away games that invite only starting players along.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Models wearing a collection of student-made wedding gowns wait backstage during the Kent Fashion Week showcase at 157 Lounge in Kent.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Couples share a kiss as they become the first three same-sex Polk County couples to be legally wed in Crookston, Minn. at midnight, Aug. 1, 2013.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Senior midfielder Hannah Newhouse (left) fights for the ball during the Kent State's game against Miami.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Maddie Finn, lead singer of Cleveland-based alternative group Envoi, connects with fans at the band's EP release show at the Outpost in Kent.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

In only one night, a glimpse into high school football demonstrates the meaning of Friday Night lights to the small town of Hyden, Kentucky. A player uses a pair of tools on his cleats with determination before the Leslie County High School game against Betsy Layne in Hyden, Kentucky. Players spend downtime on the school balcony playing guitars, preparing gear and getting rid of pre-game jitters.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

In the minutes before taking the field, players scatter through the locker room getting in the right mindset, whether it's with horseplay or a quiet conversation with a teammate.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

The Leslie County Eagles' starting lineup stretches in the weightroom in Hyden, Kentucky before taking the field against Betsy Layne, Oct. 11, 2013.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Players listen to the coach, and afterwards join in a team prayer minutes before taking the field.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

The Leslie County Eagles pause for the invocation prayer at the end zone before taking on Betsy Layne. The team prays before and after each game, displaying a very strong connection to faith in the community.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Wide receiver James Brock (right) fights to receive the ball as a Betsy Layne opponent forced an incompletion during the second half of the game in Hyden, Kentucky.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

The team's frustrations grow as the chance of a win is lost nearing the end of the game.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Congratulations are exchanged on the field after the Eagles fell to the Bulldogs.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

A player pauses in reflection as the Eagles fall to the Betsy Layne Bobcats, ending at 51-0, Oct. 11, 2013.

First Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Players share a moment with their dates as they exit from a rough loss to the Bobcats in Hyden, Kentucky Friday night, Oct. 11, 2013.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Tim Wise, a renowned anti-racism writer and speaker, stressed to students that ignoring racism will not make it go away. “No other problem is solved that way. If we stopped talking about world hunger, do you think food is going to suddenly appear?” Wise said. Students and faculty lined the walls and listened through the doors in a packed auditorium-style classroom in Old Chemistry at the Univeristy of Cincinnati.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

The pattering of hands drumming on desks cuts through laughter carried through a building site in Burere, Tanzania March 2013. Inside a retired classroom, Richard Elliot (far center), a builder for Village Life Outreach Project, plays his own version of simon says with a group of African children. VLOP makes seasonal trips to villages in Tanzania to promote health and life by building schools and medical centers throughout the region.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Dim lights illuminate the Great Hall in Tangeman University Center as models glide down the runway for the third annual Decoded fashion show, an all black show produced by University of Cincinnati alum Mario Jovan Shaw. The show, inspired by W. E. B Du Bois' "Souls of Black Folk," hoped to inspire the black community on campus and featured local designers.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Quarterback Brendon Kay lies in the Cincinnati end zone after North Carolina's safety score in the first half at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. Bearcats lost 17-39 against the Tar Heels during the 2013 Belk Bowl.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

John Cranley, elected mayor of Cincinnati in 2013, paces through The Jefferson House as he waits for the final count to be announced. Cameras wait lined up in a corner of the crammed bar in the Banks of Cincinnati for him to give a statement.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Freshman Trenton Harper extends his arms and finishes his last whip kick before turning into his final lap of the 100-yard breaststroke. The University of Cincinnati's Mens' and Womens' swim team held its annual intersquad meet at the Keating Aquatics Center.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Players fight for the ball near the hoop during University of Cincinnati's exhibition game against Carleton at the Fifth Third Arena. Center David Nyarsuk reaches for the ball as a Carleton player knocks it out of the way during the rebound. The Bearcats won against the Ravens 77-63.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Oscar Robertson, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and former player for the University of Cincinnati, joins UC staff, students and alumn in the annual homecoming day parade.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Gray's Lake Park in Des Moine, Iowa features a colorful lit bridge that seems to wrap in and out of site. A couple stopped and bent down to examine one of the many orb weaver spiders that build their flat spiral webs near each of the lights on the bridge.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Aaron Miller from Syphnx, a pop-electric band from Austin, TX, plays at the MidPoint stage during the MidPoint Music festival down town Cincinnati. Over 180 bands played at 15 different stages and bars across down town Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine for the three-day festival.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community dance for charity at the University of Cincinnati. Performer Victoria Valentine playfully reaches back for a single offered during the routine. UC's LGBTQ Center on campus hosted their seasonal Genderf*uck Drag show in the Great Hall at Tangeman University Center.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Tracy Baer, owner of Yoga 33 in Western Hills, holds the "wild thing" pose while performing a warm down Ashtanga routine in her studio.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

WordPlay Cincy, a non-profit in Northside Cincinnati dedicated to helping children develop and build their skills, celebrated its first year as an organization in September 2013. Tutors volunteer Monday through Thursday for after-school academic support and creative projects.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Azalea peaked from underneath a scarf while dressing up for an Inklings tea party on a Saturday afternoon. The Inklings program gathers younger WordPlay members for weekly meetings to teach the children good manners and positive self esteem.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Frankie (right) tied a scarf around Jada's (left) eyes during a Saturday Inklings tea party at WordPlay. The group learned the value of sharing by passing around a piece of candy and taking turns guessing which friend had the candy.

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt /

Dylan, one of the youngest members of WordPlay, shyly sipped his tea as he joined the group of Inklings for his first tea party November 2013. "He was a little bit shy before he started WordPlay," said Tiffany Luckey, Dylan's aunt. "So WordPlay has actually helped with his social skills."

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

After drawing pictures during the Inklings tea party, Dylan joined the group of children to find Libby Hunter, WordPlay executive director. Hunter praised the artwork of each student surrounding her in the room. "So often are they defined by their failures in school," Hunter said. "The kids light up when they are praised and are shown love."

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - Madison Schmidt / University of Cincinnati

Dylan joined his tutor after the Saturday Inklings program to work on reading and math skills. Together, they practice adding and subtraction by using the fingers on each others' hands. "I hope that [Dylan] will become a better reader, appreciate all the basic things kids need to learn in school and to also make friends," said Tiffany Luckey, Dylan's aunt. "I hope that he leaves here every Saturday and gets to interact with more kids outside of WordPlay."

Second Place, Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship - / University of Cincinnati

Dylan gazed up the chalk board wondering what figures to draw next. "It's amazing to see that their horizons are wide open," Hunter said. "They're telling their own stories whether they know it or not — words are to be played with. It really sums up what [WordPlay] does to the community."