2016 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears doesn’t have much. The blankets and clothes take up a lot of the space in her shopping cart, some in a large suitcase and others in garbage bags. She has a few toiletries and medications, some bottles of water and snacks, a bent kitchen pot, a large blue tarp, two dog dishes, and a bin full of dog food. And then there’s Cow, a 6½-year-old white boxer mix with a large black patch over the left side of her face, a pouty underbite, and a signature one-sided wiggle used to greet those she knows and likes. Diann recently left her ex-boyfriend of five years. She had already endured emotional abuse for several years when things escalated. “I don’t know what my ex would have done,” Diann said. “Cow is my first priority. She is everything to me.” But her four-legged companion is also her primary barrier to accessing services. Even simple tasks like attending a free meal, using the bathroom, and going to appointments are more complicated for Diann. Finding housing is Diann’s biggest continuing struggle. Because she cannot bear to lose Cow, she has been unable to stay in local homeless shelters. Diann Wears and her dog Cow move their belongings down 12th Avenue near Madison Avenue in Toledo, Thursday.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears tries to silence her dog Cow while shopping at Goodwill in downtown Toledo.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears and her dog Cow walk the streets near the old Greyhound Terminal at Jefferson Avenue and Michigan Street.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears and her dog Cow get ready to go to sleep at the old Greyhound Terminal at Jefferson Avenue and Michigan Street.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears talks to her dog Cow as they rest near a church that is friendly to homeless people.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears and her dog Cow relax after a meeting trying to find housing.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears cuddles her dog Cow as they lay down to go to sleep at the old Greyhound Terminal at Jefferson Avenue and Michigan Street. The pair were back on the street after staying in a hotel for a week.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

An emotional Diann Wears pauses for a moment as she and her dog Cow meet their new landlord Theresa Kim who offered her a low-rent apartment after hearing about her story from a friend.

First Place, Feature Picture Story - Andy Morrison / The (Toledo) Blade

Diann Wears shows her dog Cow their new surroundings as they move into an apartment in Toledo. With a new place to stay, Diann hopes to find a job and keep her and Cow off the streets.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's eight years ago. He recently moved in with his son Morgan, daughter-in-law, Abby, and their two young children. Tom will never know the children he is living with are his grandchildren, and they struggle to understand what it means to have a grandpa who's brain is broken.

Tom Engeman sits apart from the crowd at his granddaughter, Reeses's tee-ball game. Tom has no idea he is at a tee-ball game or that it is his granddaughter playing. Tom doesn't recognize his life anymore. Eight years ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In the background Tom's other grandchild, David, is being held by his healthy grandfather, also David.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Abby Engeman gently grabs the arm of her father-in-law, Tom Engeman's, to keep him from wandering away during a Tee-ball game her daughter Reese was playing. Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's eight years ago and just moved in with his son Morgan and daughter-in-law Abby and their two children. At times Abby has to juggle both kids and Tom but says
“I don’t think we see it as any special act. We just do it. It’s family. What’s the difference? He did it for Morgan, who I love so much. What wouldn’t I do for the person who gave me him?”

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tom lights up when he sees his reflection in the mirror. Tom likes to talk to his reflection and asks questions and make s funny faces. It is in these moments it is possible to see a hint of who Tom used to be.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tom wanders aimlessly through the house not recognizing that a baby is crying, and that the baby is his 12 month old grandson, David. “It’s heartbreaking to get frustrated too because we know it’s not his fault,” Abby said.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Reese sits on the couch watching a cartoon next to her Grandpa Tom, who is dozing. Tom barely acknowledges Reese except when she is making too much noise, which irritates him and he shushes her. Reese, who is five, struggles to understand why her grandpa is the way he is. Her mom, Abby, catches up on laundry. There is always extra laundry for Abby to do because of the messes Tom makes when he goes to the bathroom in his clothes or bed.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tom Engeman, a 73-year-old former professor at Loyola University, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. His family was first alerted to the disease when Tom’s students start to say his lectures and grading weren’t making sense. During Christmas break, his wife, Susan Riis, took him to see a doctor. After hearing the diagnosis, Tom walked into his office, unplugged his computer and was done with his professional career.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Alyson Camelin, 17,, a summer intern at the Carol Strawn Center tosses a balloon around with Tom Engeman and other clients before beginning their daily exercise routine. Every day Tom is dropped off at the Carol Strawn Center which offers adult daycare specifically for clients with Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Morgan helps his dad wade through the pool while his daughter Reese floats along watching. This was the first time the family had taken Tom swimming, and his face broke out into a huge smile as he enjoyed the water. Reese, who doesn't really understand what her parents mean when they say Grandpa Tom's brain is broken is always curious and always watching.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tom and his granddaughter, Reese, simultaneously go for a basket in their backyard. The difference is while Reese is young she is learning and building the muscle to throw the ball higher, while her Grandpa Tom no longer has the strength to toss the ball. Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's eight years ago and just moved in with his son Morgan, daughter-in-law, Abby and their two children.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tom is prone to wandering aimlessly, always with the same hunched posture and hands clasped behind his back. He never wanders far, but he does have a anklet tracker in case he goes too far one day.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Each morning Morgan wakes up, goes to check on his father, Tom, cleans up any messes he may have made, bathes him in the specially fitted shower, helps him brush his teeth and get dressed before heading off to his own job for the day.

Second Place, Feature Picture Story - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Every night when Tom goes to bed Charlie, the family dog, climbs into the small single bed with him.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Catherine Noall / Kent State University

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Haley Smith is an 18-year-old girl who has severe, non verbal autism, which causes her to function at the level of a two-year-old. Each day, she struggles with completing everyday tasks and communicating with others. Her grandparents are her primary caregivers, who are working towards becoming her legal guardians. She attends special needs classes at her high school, where her teachers work hard to help Haley learn how to take care of herself. Even though taking care of Haley can be incredibly difficult, she has a great support system at home and at school.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Nora Seibert puts deodorant on her granddaughter's armpit after helping Haley take a bath on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Haley's grandparents are her primary caregivers and work hard to teach her how to be more independent. Although Haley can complete some simple tasks, she still struggles with many aspects of daily living.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Charles Seibert ties Haley's shoes before she leaves for school on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Haley attends special education classes at Livingston Central High School in Smithland, Kentucky where her teachers cater to her needs and help her as much as they can. Some of her teachers fear that as Haley grows older, her ability to learn and care for herself will begin to diminish.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Due to Haley's inability to converse, she is unable to participate in some class activities. Haley completes independent motor skills and problem solving activities to help her learn to communicate socially and intellectually on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Haley cries out in frustration as she becomes upset during class on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Teaching aide, Megan Ward, tries to calm Haley by holding her hand. Throughout the day, Haley has "fits" and becomes upset and stressed about many different situations. Haley has the mentality of a two-year-old, and struggles with focusing on simple tasks throughout the day.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Teaching aide, Jane Miller, strokes Haley's hand during art class on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Whenever Haley starts to become upset, her teachers and loved ones rub her back and shoulders or stroke her hands and fingers to calm and soothe her.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Haley walks by herself during gym class as classmates stretch and complete warmups on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Teaching aide, Stephanie Weldon, rubs Haley’s shoulders in an attempt to console her during class on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Haley became upset after unsuccessfully writing the number zero on her homework.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Haley shakes her head in delight on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. Through close relationships with teachers and family, Haley has blossomed into a goofy, lovable person.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Haley and her father, Jeffery Smith, laugh together after being reunited after a two-week separation on Friday, October 21, 2016. Her father lives in Indiana and is unable to visit her as much as he would like. The pair are incredibly close and enjoy what little time they have together.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Jeffery strokes his daughter's hair as she falls asleep on his lap after a long day at school on Friday, October 21, 2016. "Haley has always been a daddy's girl. You can easily tell who the favorite is when he's around," her grandmother, Nora, said.

Third Place, Feature Picture Story - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Her grandmother talks about how difficult it can be to raise Haley. "She has her good days and her bad days," she says on Thursday, October 20, 2016. "She is just an experience. You just have to experience Haley."

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mariam visits the Islamic Center of Cleveland for the first time since she arrived in the States on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. Mariam and her family are from a town in Syria called Umm Walad about 80 miles south from Damascus. Because of the worsening conditions, they fled from Syria leaving everything behind except a few suitcases with clothes, and found refuge in Jordan for a few years before coming to America in July of 2016. "I'm really happy to see a mosque like this because in these four to five months, I haven’t seen a mosque this beautiful," Mariam said.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Rajat Manan, a volunteer for Salaam Cleveland, plays with Baisan, 5, during his regular visits to the Alrefae families home on Saturday Nov. 12, 2016. Salaam Cleveland is a community organization who helped the family once they relocated in Cleveland.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mohamad indulges his preoccupation with cramming into small spaces.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mariam prepares herself to take her drivers permit exam at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Since the move to America, Mariam has began to adjust to her new life by working toward getting her license and finding her footing in her new surroundings while dealing with all the responsibilities of being a mother.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mariams study guide for her drivers exams.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Two year-old Mohamad sleeps in the car as his mother Mariam and Runah, a volunteer for Salaam Cleveland, leave the Bureau of Motor Vehicles after Mariam recieved news that she failed her driver's permit exam on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mariam waits nervously to break the news to her husband about failing the drivers permit exam as her and Runah discuss options of retesting.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Above the cabinet reads "Bismillah alrahman alraheem," an Arabic phrase meaning "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Like many in America, preparing coffee is an essential ritual for the day.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

News on the conflict in Syria is broadcast on the television while Mohamad sleeps in his home.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mariam helps her daughter Baisan navigate the precarious and icy sidewalks as they walk home from the school bus.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Baisan performs one of the five daily prayers throughout the day after coming home from school.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

The family enjoys a homecooked meal after the end of a long day.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio Governor John Kasich announced his campaign for president in July of 2015. He was one of 17 Republican candidates. Ten months later Gov. Kasich and Donald Trump were the remaining two in the race. While he was often called an underdog, he received many endorsements for being the "common sense candidate." Kasich spent the majority of his early campaign months in New Hampshire, where he embraced retail politics. He held more than 100 town halls in every corner of the "Live Free or Die" state. He came in second in the New Hampshire primary, which propelled him for several months until he dropped out in May.

Ohio Governor John Kasich visits Henniker Brewery in Henniker, N.H. Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Upon exiting the bus, Gov. Kasich was swarmed by reporters and photographers. As the primary drew closer, he received more attention.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. John Kasich answers questions at his 103rd town hall at Plaistow Public Library in Plaistow, N.H. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. “If I win, great. If I don’t win, I’m going to join another crusade. Because I’m not going to stop crusading until the day I die,” Kasich said.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. John Kasich hugs his daughter, Emma, after a town hall at Lebanon Senior Center in Lebanon, N.H. Hampshire Monday, January 18, 2016. Kasich's twin daughters, Emma and Reese, joined their dad on the trail for their 16th birthdays.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. Kasich's bus parks in the snow outside his town hall at Seamless School and Chapel in Windham, N.H. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. Kasich tells a story about seeing a bear in the wild, while visiting the Walt Morse Sporting Good Store in Hillsboro, N.H. Tuesday, January 19, 2016.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

A man listens to Gov. John Kasich talk to the owner of Walt Morse Sporting Good Store, during a visit in Hillsboro, N.H. Tuesday, January 19, 2016. As Gov. Kasich did better in the polls, more national media outlets began to follow him, including documentary crews from Showtime and Huffington Post.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Jack McDonald, 11, listens to Gov. Kasich speak at his 100th town hall in Bedford, N.H. Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. It was Kasich's goal to reach 100 town halls. The campaign celebrated with cake and confetti.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. Kasich talks to his friend and advisor, Bruce Berke, near Kasich's national debt counter, before a town hall in Concord, N.H. Wednesday, January 20, 2015. Berke helped Gov. Kasich set up his town halls throughout the state.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. Kasich thanks his volunteers and supporters at a small rally outside Robie's Country Store in Hooksett, N.H, the night before the N.H. primary, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Voters cast their ballots at the Concord ward two polling place at Broken Ground School in Concord, N.H. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. Gov. Kasich comes in second place to Donald Trump and received four delegates.

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

Gov. Kasich announces that he is suspending his GOP presidential run at a press conference at The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus Wednesday, May 4, 2016. “The spirit, the essence of America, lies in the hearts and souls of us. You see, some missed this message. It wasn’t sexy. It wasn’t a great soundbite,” Kasich said. “As I suspend my campaign today, I have renewed faith, deeper faith, that the Lord will show me the way forward and fulfill the purpose of my life."

Award of Excellence, Feature Picture Story - Meg Vogel / Cincinnati Enquirer

A volunteer folds the flag of Ohio, after Gov. Kasich announced that he is suspending his GOP presidential run at a press conference at The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus Wednesday, May 4, 2016.