First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Liz Moughon / Ohio University
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityThe road to the Sacred Heart Retreat Center, a community center operated by the St. Ambrose Parish, glows in the evening light.The Story of Torch is a documentary essay on a small Southeastern Ohio town. For 10 weeks, I immersed myself, quickly befriending a farmer, who introduced me to three people, who introduced me to four more and the cycle continued. Through the community's genuine kindness and earned trust, I strived to create an archive that represented the town, its people and their love their community.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityMary Jonas enjoys an evening on her stoop with granddaughter Emily (5, far left) and friend Emma (4). The two sisters, along with the Jonas’ grandchildren, often spend weekends with Mary and her husband, Mike. The children enjoy the freedom and independence that the Jonas’ give them to explore around the farm and their ability to learn and be involved with the Jonas’ herd of over 50 boar goats.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityBrian Hopkins pauses to embrace his horse while he completes his regular, early morning feeding at Double C Ranch. Brian has been the ranch manager for over 30 years and in his opinion, prefers the company of his horses to people.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityEthan Chapman, a senior at Heritage Christian School, has his test answers reviewed by Danielle Midkiff, in charge of teaching the high school students. The school is comprised of one kindergartner teacher, one grade school teacher, one high school teacher and the principal. They operate under a system similar to a one room school house and uses curriculum traditionally used in a homeschool setting.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityAsunta Damron, a retired nun, shows off her antique pop gun after discussing her right to bear arms.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityJack Sigman holds a portrait of his deceased grandparents, who were the first ancestors in his family to live in Torch.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityOld rail road tracks, history of railroad
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityLove for animals, jake is 13 years old
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityEmily (5) gets help aiming her bow from mom, Sally Jonas, and grandfather, Mike Jonas. Bow hunting is a family affair in the Jonas family, and although not always used for hunting, the Jonas’ believe in the importance of imparting the skill of bow and arrows to the entire family.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversitySister Loretta cleans the pool at Sacred Heart Retreat Center, owned by the St. Ambrose Parish. The Retreat Center had been built by a wealthy doctor in the 1980s and was eventually donated to the parish with the agreement that it would be used for the community and tended to by two nuns. The Retreat Center is used for all sorts of events, not strictly religious, but it is the hope of Sister Loretta that they will leave a positive and accepting influence on the community.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityMason Phillips, left, and Alex Caldwell play a game of basketball outside of the Torch Baptist Church. The church is the original place of worship in Torch and is part of the reason why the town received its name. In the late 1800's, residents would carry torches with them to guide their way to church. What used to be a one room log cabin, the church has grown to be a community hub to about 40-50 members from different communities.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityRita Marie Von Berg, a 94-year-old retired nun, prepares tripe for her two german shepherds. Rita is 94-years-old and lives with two other retired nuns who she met while working as the director for Saint Joseph’s hospital.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityJohn Murphy, owner of Murphy's farms, pauses to pet Red, one of his 32 beef cattle. Murphy loves his cows so dearly that he names every single one and is quick to list off his favorite personality traits for each cow. In the spring, he expects the cattle to begin to give birth. He says that often, the baby calves arrive on full moons or new moons, "I'm ready!" He says, although voicing a reoccurring nervousness for each birthing season.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityThe Eagles, basketball team for the Heritage Christian School take a break to boost team spirit at their final basketball game of the season. Pastor Hubbard (far right) yells at children to get off the court in the few seconds the game has paused. The basketball team struggles to find opponents, as they only play against other Christian high schools. For this particular game, they travelled to a gym in Midland, Ohio and played against a school based in Charleston, West Virginia.
First Place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Erin Clark / Ohio UniversityJohn Murphy sits on the porch of his farmhouse after feeding his cows. The Murphy farm has been in the family since the 1950's.
