2016 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Linda Cator and Jerry Villani exchange phone numbers at singles dance in Akron on Sunday, January 31, 2016. The two met while writing down their names for a raffle drawing at the dance.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

“I like to consider myself a cowboy,” Gerald Fallot, of Robertsville, says as he relaxes inside of a horse barn during the last day of activities at the Stark County Fair in Canton on Sunday, September 4, 2016.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Stunt rider, Chris “Teach” McNeil, of Maine, performs a wheelie while standing on the seat of his bike as a crowd cheers on outside of the Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield on Sunday, August 28, 2016.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Sergeant Timothy Maffo-Judd shakes hands with a visitor outside of Tower City in downtown Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Jerry Steffek, of Akron, holds his hat to his heart as he prays during a memorial service for veterans at the Civil War Memorial Chapel at the Glendale Cemetery in Akron on Sunday, May 29, 2016.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Akron Police Officers create a barrier between protest groups outside of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday, July 18, 2016.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

Members of the Firestone team celebrate with head coach Dave Milo after winning the City Series Championship 72-62 on Feb. 12, 2016 at the James. A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

A man who goes by the name of Y.M., rides his bike near the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Andrea Noall / Kent State University

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

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

First Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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."

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Subagh Singh Khalsa meditates in his Chautauquan house as part of his morning routine August 23, 2016. Khalsa leads the Mystic Heart Meditation Program, where he provides opportunities for Chautauquans to gather and center themselves through meditation, contemplation and other universal techniques of religious and wisdom traditions.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and the Music School Festival Orchestra perform Eine Alpensinfonie, op. 64 (1911-15) July 30, 2016 in the Amphitheater. Tobias Melle contributed his music and photography to the performance by projecting the photos he took on a three month trip in Bavarian/ German Alps as the CSO and MSFO played.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

A rubber duck floats in the flooded waters on the intersection of Pratt and Vincent. Photo by Eslah Attar

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

A young girl runs in a patch of grass between the walls of The Connacht Hotel in Galway May 28, 2016 as fans of the Connacht Rugby team gather in the lobby to watch the 2016 Pro12 Grand Final against the Leinster Rugby team.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Workshop II dance students dress in their full attire at the Carnahan-Jackson Dance Studios August 3, 2016. The Chautauqua Ballet program is an extensive world-renowned program known for hosting talented dancers and professional instructors.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

VR enthusiast Bill Myers displays the Samsung Gear VR on Thursday, April 14, 2016. Myers dedicates much of his time researching and developing new methods in the field of Virtual Reality.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Travor Kundeya, a student at GMIT Centre for Creative Arts and Media, has been stuck in Irelands' Direct Provision system for eight years. As a Zimbabwe native, Kundeya expresses how important it is to keep his roots alive. "For us, it's not just about the music. It's about stamping our identity so that way whoever is going to listen to it, they will understand it but they will know that yes, that's african music. It has a very strong african influence; that’s the only thing I have to hold on to," Kundeya said.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mohamad indulges his preoccupation with cramming into small spaces.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

Mariams study guide for her drivers exams.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - 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.

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

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

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

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

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

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

Second Place, Chuck Scott Student Photographer of the Year - Eslah Attar / Kent State University

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