First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsTaven Lucterhand, 8, lays on the floor on August 14, 2017, and plays with his cat, Mishka, by pretending he is also a cat. Taven, who lives in Newark, Ohio, falls on the autism spectrum and often becomes enveloped in an idea for extended periods of time. He has always had a fascination with cats and can often be found crawling on the floor meowing.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsPhoenix screams out as techs at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, prepare the electrodes on her head for an EEG on January, 9, 2017. Phoenix recently had a couple of grand mal seizures. Phoenix is mostly non-verbal and fall on the Autism spectrum. It is common for people with Autism to have epilepsy.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Coshocton TribuneJohn, who did not want to give his last name, munches on his popcorn while watching passers-by at the Coshocton County Fair in rural Ohio.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateFirst graders from Ben Franklin Elementary splash their feet in the YMCA pool as hard as they can before beginning drills for their swim lessons. The Licking County YMCA received a grant to teach Newark students how to swim. The first students to benefit from this program are first graders at Ben Franklin Elementary.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateAlex Sapp pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to one count of attempted trafficking of persons, one count of compelling prostitution and one count of domestic violence. Sapp received seven years in prison.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsYasir Ali, a Somalian immigrant born in Kenya, reflects on his journey from Kenya to Newark, Ohio, and on his future in the untied States. He is studying Criminal Justice Technology at the Central Ohio Technical College in Newark. He plans to graduate in December of 2017. Yasir Ali sat for this portrait on March, 6, 2017. The photo was taken using a holes lens attachment.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateWill Robertson, catcher for the Robertson Construction, comforts the relief pitcher after he let a series of runs in and losing their lead over Licking Memorial Hospital in the final game of the Shrine Tournament. LMH won the game, 9-4, taking home the championship trophy.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsEvery year police officers and firefighters glove up and take to the ring for friendly amateur boxing matches to raise money for their charities. This year the event took place at the Hollywood Casino on the West side of Columbus. James Smith of the Allen township fire department warms up for his amateur boxing match by shadowboxing with his reflection. Smith and other firefighters and police officers from around the state of Ohio fought each other Thursday March 2, 2017 in a "Battle of the Bravest" charity boxing match.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsThe third annual Guns and Hoses charity boxing match was held at the Hollywood Casino as part of the festivities surrounding the Arnold Fitness Classic. The "Battle of the Bravest" as it is dubbed is all in good fun, pitting police officers against firefighters in ammeter boxing matches.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsKaitie Kissack nervously watches and records her boyfriend, Rob Schoelkopf's boxing match at the annual Guns and Hoses charity boxing event at Hollywood Casino in Columbus, Ohio.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsColumbus police officer Farrington was knocked to the ground in the first 59 seconds of round 1 by Wylie, a firefight from Ludlow, Kentucky. The two were fighting in an amateur boxing match, "Guns and Hoses" to raise money for charity.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsThe third annual Guns and Hoses charity boxing match was held at the Hollywood Casino as part of the festivities surrounding the Arnold Fitness Classic. After each match the firefighter and police officer would hug to show the match, no matter how bloody, was in good fun.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsMatt Helton, a firefighter from Cincinnati, waits for his name to be called up before entering the ring at the annual guns and hoses charity boxing event.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsAaron Herron of the Franklin County Police Department, poses for a photo after losing his boxing match against Columbus firefighter, Dan Whalen, but proud of the the blood running from his nose and mouth. Herron, who had never boxed before, said he was happy to contribute to a good cause.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateCaity and Brett Blacet adopted four children from the Ukraine over the summer summer, but have just arrived home with them in the last couple of weeks. Lera, the oldest and her three younger brothers, Archer, Beau and Max had been living in an orphanage in the worn torn, eastern part of Ukraine and are now adapting to life in Ohio. The children are beginning to let their guard down, but are struggling with cultural differences. The family is learning how to communicate with each other. The children have limited English skills, and the Blacets do not speak Russian. Despite the language barriers, the kids have bonded with their new parents.Beau, who is the most outwardly loving, leans in to give his new mom, Caity a kiss.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateBrett and Caity Blacet play with the four children, Max, Lera, Beau and Archer, (not pictured) they adopted from the war-torn Eastern Ukraine. Even though they just became a family a week ago, they have all bonded quickly.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLera practices reading English with a book her new ELS teacher sent home for her. Lera's new adoptive mother worries that she and her siblings are so far behind in school after living in the orphanage in the Ukraine for so long, and hope they can all catch up to their classmates.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLera waits impatiently as her brother, Beau, and new father, Brett, fumble around with swimming toys before heading to the swimming pool in their apartment complex. Even though it was chilly outside, the kids who had just arrived in Ohio were desperate to go swimming. Their adoptive parents, Caity and Brett could not find a real reason why not, so they went off to swim on the cold water.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLera and her brothers, Archer and Max, hurry back to their new home after an impromptu morning at the pool. The three siblings, and their brother Beau, arrived in the United States just days before after being adopted from an orphanage in the war torn Eastern Ukraine.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateArcher and Beau put shoes on their new adoptive dad, Brett, before they leave for school. Brett and his wife Caity have loved being new parents, but are having trouble keeping up with the high energy levels of all four children.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateThe children adjusted quickly to their new home during their first week, and would try and go outside and play as often as possible. Lera, the only girl goes off by herself for a few minutes, tired of the aggressive rough-housing of her younger brothers.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateCaity dresses the two younger boys, Beau and Max, for bed while Archer stirs up trouble next to them. The boys are always going at full speed, giving little rest to Caity and her husband who recently adopted them from the Ukraine.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateBefore the kids arrived in Ohio Caity got each of them backpacks with their names monogramed on the front. It was a bit of an extravagance Caity admitted, but worth it to make them feel at home.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLera packs up her backpack for school before getting ready for bed. The kids speak minimal English and are all taking ESL classes at their school. Their parents worry about them catching up with their classmates.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLera helps her Caity, her adoptive mom, Caity, clean the room she shares with her three brothers.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsAll four kids, Lera, Max, Archer and Beau, use their new adoptive dad, Brett as a jungle gym in the basement of their new home. Brett and his wife, Caity, decided to adopt the siblings from the Ukraine after hosting three of them for the summer the year before.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateLera, plays with the family dog while her brother, Archer, struggles to wake up for school. Lera has had to sleep in the bed with her brother Archer, after she and her sibling got a little over-excited jumping on her bed, breaking it.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate Desmond Gordon, a 35-year-old union electrician, is the father of four children: three girls and one boy. When asked what fatherhood means to him, Desmond responded “Fatherhood definitely means responsibility, guidance, protection, counsel. It’s scary. It’s emotional. I have a lot of fun as a dad. I look at the world differently now because kids teach you things that adults won’t.”Having two girls in elementary school has taught him a lot about having patience for fashion shows and makeup lessons, but most importantly, “Having daughters, the thing I have learned the most is how to be a gentleman. To make sure the way I treat my wife and the way I treat my daughters is the way they expect men to treat them, and nothing less.”Desmond loves watching his children excel, and grow whether it’s in sports or school, or in the way they learn to treat others. He is determined to make sure they have dreams and help them follow those dreams.Each night before tucking his daughters into bed, Desmond reads part of a chapter book to them, usually with his son, 'Lil Des', crawling over him wanting his attention too. The night of April 12 2017 in Newark, Ohio, was no different.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateA dedicated Michigan football fan, Desmond and his daughters look forward to the OSU-Michigan game every year because of the rivalry. This year for the game on November 25, 2016, his girls dressed up and painted their faces and sat beside their dad to cheer on the players on with him in their home in Newark, Ohio.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond Gordon extends his hand so his 16 month old son, Desmond Jr. (affectionately called Lil Des) can grab his finger as they walk home from the playground on April 12, 2017 in Newark, Ohio, United States.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Jessica PhelpsDesmond Gordon helps his son, 'Lil' Des with his Halloween costume. Both father and son went trick-or-treating as electricians. 'Lil" Des's costume was complete with a beard his mom drew on him to complete the look.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond Gordon pretends to uses his oldest daughter Cadiera, 10, as a punching bag, while the next oldest daughter, Keionna, 8, laughs and eggs him on on April 12, 2017. Desmond often takes his children to the playground near his home in Newark, Ohio, because he believes in being active and actively participating in their lives.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond gingerly reaches for his newborn daughter Rosalie for the first time at St. Ann's hospital in Westerville Ohio, on March, 30 2017. Even though Rosalie is his fourth child, the excitement and fear of being responsible for their wellbeing still weighs heavily on him.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond and his wife DeeDee chat in the kitchen while she feeds their newborn baby, Rosalie on April 12, 2017 in Newark, Ohio. 'Lil Des", who has been the center of attention his whole life, fights to get some from his parents in this moment.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond changes the diaper of his son, "Lil Des" before heading outside for playtime with his children on October, 3, 2016 in Newark, Ohio. Desmond makes sure he is there for his children and works hard to meet all of their needs.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond never plays down to his daughters, so when his oldest, Cadiera, wants to play one-on-one on November 2, 2016 in Newark, Ohio, he does not hesitate to challenge her. Desmond prides himself on always pushing his children to better, whether in school or sports.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond is always surrounded by his children. They seem to orbit around him wanting his love and attention. And Desmond is always happy to oblige, even when he pretends he is not.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond playfully pushes down on his only son's nose as his wife, DeeDee holds him during a family outing at the park on November 2, 2016 in Newark, Ohio. Desmond is always rough-housing and playing with his children.
First Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Jessica Phelps / Newark AdvocateDesmond Gordon holds his arms out and encourages his son to give him a hug in their Newark, Ohio home on April 12, 2017. His son, Lil Des, spent his first months of life barreling towards everything but his father is trying to teach him to be gentle now that there is a new baby in the house.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community News
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsThis was a personal project that I did for two reasons, one for my husband's family and two, to show another side of addiction. There have been many stories of addiction but most seem to end either with a chance of sobriety or a tragic and sudden OD, in this case after decades heartbreak and anger dealing with his brother Mark's addictions my husband Andy received a call that his brother was in the hospital, and soon found out he had terminal cancer. Rather than holding on to all the anger, thoughts of little league, fishing trips and bar fights where they were on each others side took over Andy and his other siblings all rallied around Mark to make his last days as comfortable as possible. It's strange to think of cancer as a good thing, but in this case the diagnoses gave the family a chance to say, and resolve things that had gone unsettled. Pictured here Mark looks out the window of his hospital bed.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsAndy helps his brother Mark back into bed after going to the bathroom. Early into his diagnoses Mark only wanted Andy to help him with personal things such as this.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsA DNR bracelet was placed on Mark to make sure his medical wishes were followed. Mark in trusted Andy with his medical decisions.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsMark smiles as Andy brings him a beer. The medical staff had said at this point Mark might as well have whatever would make him happy, and that alcohol, in small quantities would not interfere with the medications.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsAndy and Mark spend time watching tv.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsMark preferred to Andy wash him rather than the medical staff.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsDespite the situation Andy could always get a laugh out of Mark.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsMark's daughter January brought him this cross. Mark and January had not had much of a relationship throughout her life, but had the cancer diagnoses gave them time to repair some of that.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsAfter Mark final agreed to let the medical staff help him with bathing, Andy would wait in the hall.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsBoth brothers nap during a visit. Toward the end Mark mostly slept, and long days and trouble sleeping at night left Andy exhausted.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsAndy tried to keep chapstick on Mark to prevent his lips from cracking.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsAndy made sure to tell Mark he loved him every time he left, not knowing if he would see him again.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsGroveport Madison takes the field for their game at Thomas Worthington on Friday September 8.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsWrestlers enter the arena for the start of the80th Annual State Wrestling Tournament at the Schottenstein Center on Saturday March 11.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsA T-Rex, aka Jaquie Bailey, makes her way through German Village during the 12th annual German Village Monster Bash on Saturday October 14. Ten homes featured themed bars in their gardens for "adult" trick-or-treating followed by a party at the German Village Society Meeting Haus.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsSantana Konves, cosmetologist/ barber carefully gives Santa a shave at the Gahanna location of The Mug & Brush on Thursday November 10. Santa was getting ready for Gahanna's Holiday Lights which will be on November 19th. Santa will arrive on the back of a fire truck.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsVolunteer Amanda Klein of Westerville places a tag on a flag as she and her son Tyler, 10, help with the set up for the ninth annual Field of Heroes on May 26. More than 3,000 American flags were on display to honor personal heroes. This year’s theme paid tribute to military service members who are POW-MIA.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsSamantha Smith, 15, of Delaware cuddles with her holstein dairy feeder Lucy during the Delaware County Fair on Tuesday September 19. Smith is hoping Lucy is bought by the family of a friend so she can keep seeing him.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsNiall Zhao, 3, of Upper Arlington laughs as he runs through the halls of Westerville Central High School with balloons during the Ohio Chinese Festival on Saturday February 4. Photo by Lorrie Cecil/ ThisWeek Newspapers
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsSofia Morales, 5, of Reynoldsburg blows bubbles at the Reynoldsburg Lions Club booth at the 2017 Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsThree year old Elena Ehmann of Dublin, enjoys her ice cream as she and her brother Ray, five, watch the Dublin Independence Day Parade on Tuesday July 4, 2017. The parade was followed later in the day with a festival at Dublin Coffman High School which included a kids area, music highlighted by a performance from Peter Frampton and fireworks.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsUpper Arlington school board member Stacey Royer, levy committee co-chair Tracy Peters and others celebrate as Superintendent Paul Imhoff announces that issue 43, the combined 8.92 mills levy/bond issue had passed. Supporters gathered at the high school to watch the results on Tuesday November 7.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsNew Albany's Josie Smith isn't very helpful on this play as she accidently covers the eyes of teammate Micaylah Nash during their game at DeSales on Wednesday December 6.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsHilliard Bradley High School’s Zach Hummel snares a pass in the end zone over Hilliard Darby’s Ian Coverstone to put Bradley up 20-7 during the second half of a game at Darby on Sept. 15. Bradley went on to win 21-7. A dynamic offense and a stingy defense helped the Jaguars finish the regular season unbeaten and earn the program’s first playoff victory; their postseason run was ended by the eventual state champions, the Pickerington Central Tigers, in a Division I, Region 3 semifinal.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek NewspapersWorthington Christian's Luke Smith runs leg two of the boys 4x800 meter relay during day one of the State Track and Field Tournament on Friday June 2 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The Warriors won the event.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsChar Demas hugs her son, Dublin Coffman's Dom Demas after he defeated Olentangy Liberty's Trey Grenier in the 145 to win the Division I state title at the 80th Annual State Wrestling Tournament at the Schottenstein Center on Saturday March 11.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsOlentangy Orange's Tommy Wintering looks to the sky after finishing the Division I 4x800 meter relay during day one of the State Track and Field Tournament on Friday June 2 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Orange placed seventh.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / Lorrie Cecil/ThisWeekPickerington North's Jalen Bankston kneels for a moment of prayer prior to the start of their first round playoff game at Wayne High School on Friday November 3. Pickerington won 41-20.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsFrom left, Olentangy Liberty assistant coach Chad Roskovich and head coach Mark Marinelli hug as Brakan Mead raises his arms to the crowd after defeating Lakewood St. Edward's Bryce Hepner at 113 in the Division I State Championship match at the Schottenstein Center on Saturday March 11.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsUsing a zombie volunteers as the crowd, members of the International Police Mountain Bike Conference learn crowd controll proceedures during an exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. A sign directs the zombie volunteers where to park during the International Police Mountain Bike Conference's crowd control exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Wednesday June 7. As part of the exercise volunteers, most dressed as zombies, played an unruly crowd that the officers had to contain. Photo by Lorrie Cecil/ ThisWeek Newspapers
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsSgt. Larry Collins with the Joliet Police Department puts his protective mask on as zombie hurl bottles at police during the International Police Mountain Bike Conference's crowd control exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Wednesday June 7. As part of the exercise volunteers, mostly dressed as zombies, played an unruly crowd that the officers had to contain. Officers from around the country and Canada participated in the event.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsLt. Michael O'Neil of Louisville Kentucky puts his gas mask on as zombie hurl bottles at police during the International Police Mountain Bike Conference's crowd control exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Wednesday June 7. As part of the exercise volunteers, mostly dressed as zombies, played an unruly crowd that the officers had to contain. Officers from around the country and Canada participated in the event.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsCourtney Pickett of Delaware was one of the volunteer zombies that took part in the International Police Mountain Bike Conference's crowd control exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Wednesday June 7. As part of the exercise volunteers, dressed as zombies, played an unruly crowd that the officers had to contain.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsJerry Stewart of Delaware, center, portraying the head zombie is corralled by police during the International Police Mountain Bike Conference's crowd control exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Wednesday June 7. As part of the exercise volunteers, most dressed as zombies, played an unruly crowd that the officers had to contain. Officers from around the country and Canada participated in the exercise.
Second Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Lorrie Cecil / ThisWeek Community NewsWilliam Pettigrew of Crooksville is corralled up the road by bike officers during the International Police Mountain Bike Conference's crowd control exercise at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Wednesday June 7. As part of the exercise volunteers, most dressed as zombies, played an unruly crowd that the officers had to contain. Officers from around the country and Canada participated in the exercise.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky Register
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterEdison's Kyle Summerland flies through the air after Huron's Luke Wood kicked the ball away during their Division II sectional game at Edison High School on Oct. 19, 2017.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterBrothers Damian and Noah Rickey hug their dad, Army Specialist Marz Rickey, after his surprise arrival at Bataan Memorial Primary Elementary on Nov. 30, 2017, in Port Clinton. Their dad had been serving overseas for about a year before coming home to surprise his sons.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterSandusky police Sgt. Tracey Susana talks with a man after being called to a residence on March 21, 2017. Susana is a Sandusky native who counts more than 20 years on the job. She figures she can make her way to essentially any address in the city without hesitation.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterA state trooper talks to the driver of a semitrailer who was driving down Ohio 53 when the trailer was clipped by an airplane landing at the Fremont Airport in Ballville Township on May, 9, 2017. "I was just driving down Ohio 53, and I heard a boom,” said the driver. “It rocked the trailer. I thought the semi was going over.” The airplane left one of its tires behind when it clipped the top of the trailer. No one was injured.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterSt. Paul's Noah Good escapes St. Mary's Kyle Pelz to score a touchdown during the last play of the second quarter at Whitney Field in Norwalk on Aug. 26, 2017. Good ran through two SMCC defenders over the final 10 yards, for a 39-yard touchdown pass.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterMike Pusateri, a taxidermist, stretches walleye skin onto a foam mannequin while creating a mount for a customer on Jan. 5, 2017, at Mike's Taxidermy in Port Clinton. Pusateri has had a taxidermy business for about 39 years.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterAs a storm moves across the Sandusky Bay, toward Cedar Point, a lightning bolt strikes on Feb. 23, 2017.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterHuron's Olivia Lagando takes a moment to herself after being defeated by Western Reserve in game five of the Division III district semifinal match in Attica on Oct. 25, 2017. Western Reserve stunned Huron and advanced to the district title match.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarahgan "Karah" Dale is accustomed to the stares when she is in public. Because of her bald head, people think she has cancer. Karah is a healthy 12-year-old girl. When approached by people, Karah and her mother politely educate them about alopecia, an autoimmune disorder which results in hair loss. Karah doesn't have a desire to wear a wig. She's an inspiration to those around her. Karah embraces baldness.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterPhotos show Karah with hair and her having it shaved. Karah's stepfather, Jeremy Stock, shaved his head at the time Karah did to show his support.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarah, 12, applies mascara as part of her daily routine before school. Her mother, Kris Stock, allows Karah wear makeup at a young age so she can have that experience if her eyelashes fall out again.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarah, a sixth-grader, puts items in her locker before school on Dec. 6, 2017, at Briar Middle School in Perkins Township.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarah shows a picture to one of her classmates before the start of history class on Dec. 6, 2017, at Briar Middle School in Perkins Township.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterDuring a break between classes, Karah talks with her sixth-grade classmates in the hallway at Briar Middle School on Dec. 6, 2017.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarah plays the French horn during band class at Briar Middle School on Dec. 6, 2017. One of Karah's favorite classes is band because she loves music.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarah pivots as she looks for an open teammate during a basketball game against Norwalk on Dec. 10, 2017, at Bellevue Middle School. Karah was dubbed ‘The Intimidator’ because she’s able to intimidate opponents with her bald head.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterKarah and her teammates huddle around their coach as he draws out a play during a timeout at their basketball game in Bellevue on Dec. 10, 2017.
Third Place, George S. Smallsreed Photographer of the Year - Erin McLaughlin / Sandusky RegisterHaylee Keene and Karah laugh while making unicorn headbands on Nov. 30, 2017. For a class project, Haylee needed to develop a product to give to a charity. Haylee chose to make headbands and visors to promote awareness and self-confidence because the unicorn is a symbol of alopecia. Haylee was inspired by Karah to reveal to her peers that she too has alopecia.
