2018 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Abdelrahman Nofal (Abood) of Gaza, lost his left leg to an Israeli soldier’s bullet as he played soccer near a protest. Through the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, he spent months in the USA recieving a prosthesis. During his time here, he built close relationships and found a close community. “The best thing about him coming here was that he learned how to be a kid,” Khalid Bahhur, a host of Abood’s said. “He came here as an adult.” Photo: Abood rests on Omar Mujahed’s shoulder during a piggy-back ride. Omar is a brother of Hanadi Mujahed, who was one of Abood’s teachers during his time in the United States. Abood would occasionally spend the day or even weekend with Hanadi and her brothers.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Abood tries to remember how to say “water-cooler” in English after his teacher, Hanadi Mujahed, asks. During some of his time in the United States, Abood attended school at the Yunus Emre Muslim Community Center, where he grew close to Hanadi.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

At his twelfth birthday party, Abood pops a balloon. Members of the Kent State chapter of the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, the organization that brought Abood to the United States to receive free treatment, threw the party. By the end of the night, Abood popped all the balloons in the room, laughing and making jokes each time.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Abood reacts in embarrassment after Hanadi points out that a note he drew and proudly displayed contained a backwards “N”.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Clutching at his blanket as he watches “Little Rascals” in English, which he does not speak, with his host Yousef Mousa and Yousef’s sister, Sama, Abood mocks Donald Trump after seeing him appear on screen. On Abood’s hand is written “I (heart) Palestin”. Before he was able to move well on his prosthetic, he told Hanadi that all he wanted to do was go home and die for his country.” As time went on, he grew happier, and told her that was no longer his dream.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Abood does pushups on his crutches in the Mousa’s family room.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Abood pulls on Yousef’s arm as they leave prayer, trying to get his attention. The two shared a close relationship during Abood’s time in the United States, one Yousef compared to brotherhood.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Yousef Mousa pulls Abood from the swimming pool. Abood did not want to leave, and had been refusing to get out of the water.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

After walking for nearly four hours at the Cleveland Zoo on his new prosthesis, an exhausted Abood sits and recovers.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

The Mujahed brothers pick up Abood, carrying him in response to his complaints about walking, as Abood pretends to celebrate a soccer goal.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Abood climbs onto a fence, trying to see the dog barking on the other side.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Noor Bahhur tearfully kisses Abood goodbye before her father drove him to the airport, telling him to stay in touch. For the last few weeks of his time in the United States, Abood lived with the Bahhur family, growing very close to Noor and her brother Omar. “I think he saw us as siblings,” Noor said. “For a boy who’s 11, who lost his leg, he never had a dull moment. I’ve never seen him without a smile — even though he’s thousands of miles away from his family.”

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Throughout 2018, roughly 50 of Akron's homeless lived in tents behind 15 Broad St. After a long, drawn out legal battle and multiple City Council hearings, the settlement was deemed illegal, and an eviction notice was posted in December 2018. These images follow life inside Tent City up to the day the tents came down. Photo: A young boy, 5, (name withheld) plays dead outside of Tent City in Akron, OH, on April 26, 2018. Both of the boy’s parents are homeless, and his father is a resident of Tent City, where roughly 50 of Akron’s homeless live in tents behind a building owned by Sage Lewis. “He asks me sometimes, ‘Mommy, when can we stay in the same place all the time?’ " Destiny Lusk, his mother, said, "and I just tell him ‘someday baby, someday’."

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Dustin opens the door of his tent to retrieve his bible. Many of the homeless who live at Tent City complain that too many of the charities helping homeless people in the Akron area force religion. Dustin is not one of them.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Smoking a hand rolled cigarette inside his tent, Dwight recounts his life of addiction. "I've been all over man. Just go panhandle around the bars. Being honest, tell them I want a beer. Get some beer, go back to the woods and get drunk. I'm past that now. Trying to get back on my feet here."

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

People, all homeless, spend their evening outside the front entrance to 15 Broad St., home to Tent City. Multiple complaints have been made by nearby residents about people loitering on the sidewalk.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Paul Buchanan, 73, sits in his workshop at Tent City. Paul suffers from severe arthritis, and became homeless when he lost his home in a fire. He now runs maintence for Tent City. "Homeless, it's not hopeless. I'm working on getting another place right now. They can evict me from a house, an apartment, my front porch, but there ain't no way in hell I'm getting evicted from no damn tent," Paul said when discussing ongoing contention between Tent City and the City of Akron.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Kevin, who is legally blind and suffers from seizures, sleeps in his tent, while Willie stands outside talking to other residents. Both have been residents of Tent City for over six months, though neither make any attempts to find permanent housing.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

A man carries a tarp he retrieved from the woods behind Tent City. He used the tarp to waterproof the roof of another resident's tent during a heavy rain storm. During especially cold months, residents insulate their tents with donated blankets. However, the humidity created by sleeping in the tent can cause mold to grow, which poses a health risk.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Herman smokes a cigarette outside the entry to Tent City. Residents and non-residents alike, most of whom are homeless, gather at Tent City during the day. Many smoke throughout the day, littering the ground with cigarette butts. "Most people ask why the homeless are always smoking, why they don't just quit and stop wasting their money. I always want them to think, how easy would it be for you to quit? Then think about all the added stress, mental issues, and health issues that come with being homeless. It's not that easy," Herman said. A retiree, Herman lived at Tent CIty for months before finding an apartment he could afford. He now volunteers at Tent City.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Following a rain storm, sitting under a flood light, a homeless man spends the evening outside, alone, not wanting to go to his soaked tent

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

The sun sets on Tent City, showing light coming from security lamps installed by the low income apartment building next door. Multiple complaints about Tent City were filed by residents of that building, ranging from smells, to fights, to drug use and theft.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Carrying their belongings, Krystal Emch and Michael Smith leave Tent City. The City of Akron issued an eviction notice on Dec. 6, 2018, giving the residents of Tent City 30 days to leave. After City Council voted to close Tent City, a push was made to house the residents. However, not everyone was housed, and those who were not living at Tent City when the vote was taken were not given the opportunity to receive housing. Krystal and Michael were not on the original list, and thus were forced to move back into the woods. “I’m worried this isn’t going to be as safe. Why’d they have to take away the community?” Krystal said to Michael as they walked along the railroad tracks to find a new home.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Juan Lugo focuses before his bout with Brian Cotts at the Charity Brawl in Elyria, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2018, as his coach George Mills adjusts his headgear. Lugo spent much of the evening preparing for his match, which he then lost by split decision after three rounds. As he adjusted Lugo's headgear, Mills told him to stay calm throughout the match. "Stay focused out there, don't get scared. Those other guys, they're getting nervous. I'm seeing them hyperventilating, and I'm like 'You're in shape! What's the deal?' You're gonna be fine. Now get out there."

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Cowboys who had already completed their ride watch the final bull rider at the Ennis Rodeo in Ennis, MT, on July 4, 2018.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

At the 160th Portage County Randolph Fair in OH, a demolition derby driver examines his car after it was pushed up and onto a concrete barrier during his heat on August 21, 2018.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

People enjoy a late summer sunset on the evening of August 8, 2018, in Westport, WA.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

Juan Lugo angrily shadow boxes in the locker room after losing his bout with Brian Cotts by split decision at the Charity Brawl in Elyria, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2018.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

The base of the Coleman Glacier on Mt. Baker, WA, is seen as a rain storm approaches, August 3, 2018. According to Mauri Pelto, author of "North Cascade Glacier Retreat", the glacier retreated 1,443 feet between 1980 and 2006.

First Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Nathaniel Bailey / Kent State University

After suffering a heart attack, Eva Rettig tells her husband Matthias to “go home and rest”, May 4, 2018, as her daughter Barbara (far left) and granddaughter Julianna visit her.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Timmy Wells, center, plays the baritone saxophone as part of the Burlesque Band of San Francisco on Castro Street after the Pride Parade on June 24, 2018.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Chloe Williams is silhouetted against Lake Merritt on an usually warm day in Oakland, Calif., on June 10, 2018.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Isis Mayle, 17, embraces her boyfriend, Elijah Byrd, 16, at his home in Stewart, Ohio, as they re-tell the story of the ups and downs of their relationship.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Isabel Bueso meets with Paul Harmatz MD, who has been her doctor for many years, at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. Bueso has Maroteaux-Lamy, a rare syndrome that predicted she wouldn't live past age 7. Now, she is graduating from California State University summa cum laude.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Victoria Epstien, 17, sits underneath a canopy of horse racing prizes in Liberty, N.Y. She takes a break from homework while recovering from Crypto that she got while tending a sick calf. Once she graduates, she hopes to join a collegiate equestrian team.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Maggi Gifford and her grandson Hunter Blosser, 13, park outside the library in Glouster, Ohio, to use the Wi-Fi. They have satellite at home, but it is too slow to rely on, so every Sunday they work here for about an hour. Gifford writes for the Morgan County Herald and Hunter catches up on social media. Almost 50 percent of this library's general Wi-Fi usage is from when the library is closed. Many Ohioans still lack access to broadband and have no other option but to work in public places.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

An internet router is seen on the roof of the Hall family home in Pomeroy, Ohio. They pay for two megabits of data but often do not get that much.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Libby Hall, 13, stands in her front yard with the family dog on a fading autumn day. The little bit of internet they get is barely enough for her father to work from home, so she often rides 20 minutes into town with her mother to finish her homework.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Juanita Hall, right, is deaf and signs a video for her online class while daughter Libby Hall does science homework. They often drive 20 minutes from home to Ohio University to be able to complete their work. Their home connection is unusable when their husband and father, Greg Hall, is close-captioning for broadcast television.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Greg Hall reacts as his internet connection fails 20 minutes before he is supposed to caption a live program at his home. It sputters back to life minutes before his shift begins. At this moment he gets 0.7 megabits of data. If it failed completely, he would use his phone line. If that failed too, he would have no other options.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

The dairy farm, Snowville Creamery, in Pomeroy, Ohio, is hoping to streamline their process of storing inventory by uploading to the Cloud but cannot without faster internet speeds. They must hand count and manually enter every order into their system. During slow days, everyone spends an extra hour or more waiting on the internet to load, which means they clock more hours that ultimately cost the company.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

The home of Tim Traxler and Cathering Sitko lies several miles down Highway 550, around a mile-and-a-half curvy road that feels like an endless driveway and finally up a steep gravel path. Deep in the woods, their home feels like a safe haven from civilization. They and many others enjoy the peace that comes with living remotely.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Catherine Sitko reacts in frustration as it takes minutes to load a single webpage. She recently retired from being a Graphic Design and Production Specialist for Alden Library at Ohio University and says she misses the broadband she had there daily. She and her husband now pay for 25 Mbps but still only get about 15 Mbps.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

A couple times a week Bill Krotzer, of Albany, drives to the Athens or Albany Libraries to connect to broadband. Originally from California, he moved to care for his sister with breast cancer, but after he bought a house and moved in, he discovered that he cannot get internet. A month later, his sister died. Without any family in the area, or internet, the area seems much too quiet.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

“For Christmas I do really hope, if there’s a Santa out there, I want internet,” says Elijah Byrd, a junior at Federal Hocking High School. For a recent journalism paper, Byrd researched a website that did not have a mobile version. He flipped his phone to the side to read the font larger, but it did not work, so he had to scroll the screen back and forth to read each line one at a time. He gave up in frustration and turned in the paper with minimal research done.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Suzi Cogar, 16, sits in an empty classroom at Federal Hocking High School in Stewart. At home she alternates between doing research with her phone phone and typing on her Chromebook that lacks data capability, so she ops to work through her lunch break. “Last year my grades kinda slipped a little bit because I kinda gave up because I was getting frustrated,” she says. Next semester, her science and geometry assignments will be increasingly online, so she hopes to get a job to afford gas for the 20-minute drive to the Athens Library.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Despite the battle for connectivity, people agree that the beauty and peace of Ohio makes it worth staying. “We’ll have to work together if they don’t want rural America to be second-class citizens,” Gary Goosman, the mayor of Amesville says, “if they want everybody to excel in business and education.”

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

The Golden Gate Bridge is seen at dusk in San Francisco. While tourists stroll up and down it every day, on average someone jumps to their death every 13 days. Unlike other iconic structures, this bridge does not have a suicide barrier. After the Gamboa family lost their son to suicide, they resolved to do everything they could to campaign for a suicide barrier.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Kathy Contway remembers her grandson, Kyle Gamboa, 18, who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge to his death in 2013, as she stands on the Municipal Pier in San Francisco. She says that grandparents are often the "forgotten mourners" during tragedies like this.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

A flock of birds flies beneath the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. At 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2013 Kyle stopped his truck in the middle of the highway, stepped out, ran onto the pedestrian walkway and jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge to his death.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Drawings of Kyle hang at his home in Sacramento. His classmates drew the portraits a few days after his death, and his family has never taken them down.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Manuel Gamboa III sits on his bed in San Francisco. He is two years older than his brother Kyle and says that he never told him that he was struggling with anything. Manuel's favorite last memory was going to the California State Fair weeks before Kyle's death and spending time together – just the two of them.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Manuel Gamboa, Jr. looks around the unchanged bedroom of his son Kyle in Sacramento. He is still searching for answers as to why Kyle commit suicide five years earlier.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Kymberlyrenee Gamboa, Kyle's mother, refuses to wash the last cup Kyle drank from. He had stopped at a McDonald's to get orange juice and a sandwich on his drive to San Francisco before jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

The bay as seen from the Golden Gate Bridge. This is the second most popular place in the world to commit suicide after China’s Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge. Unlike other iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building, this does not have a suicide barrier.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Priya Clemens, left, director of public affairs, and Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz, public affairs specialist, both for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, watch an update on the construction of the suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Manuel Gamboa III holds a picture that a child drew for him at the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Board Meeting. For his parents, these meetings are a way for them to cope with loss through activism, but for Manuel, they bring back the hard memories.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Erika Brooks, who lost her adopted daughter to a Golden Gate Bridge suicide, writes names of other suicide victims at Baker Beach. Throughout the day, families and friends take turns writing every recorded name of a bridge suicide victim - around 2,000 - in the sand and watch the waves wash them away.

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

Kathy Contway, far right, Kyle's grandmother, holds hands with survivors as Dana Bark, third from left, burns sage at Baker Beach. Dana lost his son Donavan Bark to a Golden Gate Bridge suicide in 2008 and started "Names in the Sand."

Second Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Liz Moughon / Ohio University

According to witnesses, on Sept. 20, 2013, Kyle drove across the bridge southbound coming from Sacramento, turned his truck around and jumped near Pole 77.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Koby Greulich of Ferdinand, 6, taps on the electrical box holding a birds nest with two baby birds in the Forest Park dugout in Ferdinand, Ind. on May 1, 2018. Greulich said the dugout's spring residents are "so cool."

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Rich Vollmer, left, and Chad Merkley, both of Jasper, enjoy a cold beer with their group of workers after baling, stacking, and hauling 2700 square straw bales from 50 acres of land in Jasper, Ind. on June 19, 2018. The group usually ends their work day with a cold beer. Vollmer and his two brothers own Vollmer Farms, which has been in his family for 6 generations.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Maris Drew of Jasper, 11, applies camo face paint in the hunting blind at the Youth Turkey Hunt at Patoka Lake, Ind. on April 21, 2018. Drew's hunting guide Shannon Gillette of Markleville brought the camo face paint, and said that the face paint is "sacred" to her.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Jasper High School seniors Adam Jaent, right, tackles Garret Jacob while Nick Mendel, left, and Austin Simmers wrestle after their teams faced off in the senior class mud volleyball tournament at the school in Jasper, Ind. on May 23, 2018. Over ten teams participated in the annual tournament that takes place during the last week of school.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Heritage Hills senior Maddie Fuller finds a four-leaf clover while searching the grass with her teammates and puts it in her sock for good luck before defeating Evansville Memorial 7-6 to win the sectional championship in Boonville, Ind. on May 24, 2018. Fuller made the seventh-inning game-winning hit, and after the game, exclaimed, "it was the clover!" Fuller said that “at the beginning of the season, we would always find four leaf clovers. And every time we found a four leaf clover we’d win. So it was a sign.”

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Rilyn Truesdale of Duff, 8, floats in the pond of her aunt and uncle Abby and John Truesdale in Duff, Ind. on June 21, 2018.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Bernice Burton of Jasper, right, dances with Jasper High School dance team senior Lydia Shepherd at the Brookside Village senior living community in Jasper, Ind. on January 23, 2018. "I'm 88, and I can still dance," said Burton. "This hip's been replaced three times, and this one once. And I can still do the twist." Burton loves to dance, and says when she was younger, she preferred dancing over eating.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Mike Steckler, 63, stands for a portrait on his land in Huntingburg, Ind. on May 16, 2018. Steckler spent most of his life in the agriculture business with his family of 9 children and now 12 grandchildren. “If you farm for a while, you become very humble. Because, whether you want to accept the lesson or not, we are not in control of much of anything. In two years, we can invest the same amount of energy, and one year, He allows you to have a bounty, and the next year you end up with nothing. It’s not up to us. What He gives us is a gift.”

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Story description: Marge Stenftenagel of Jasper, Ind., has been a widow for six years after her husband Si died of pancreatic cancer. Though she gets lonely, Marge is content with her life at home and pushes herself to stay active. “The kids said, ‘mom, why don’t you sell the place and go to town?’ and I said, ‘are you kidding? I’d be dead in six months.’ I’d fall apart… I want to do the routine thing.”

Caption: Marge Stenftenagel reads the newspaper alone at her Jasper, Ind. home on the evening of May 7, 2018.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Marge Stenftenagel’s home remains decorated with photos of her and Si on June 24, 2018. “They’ve been there forever, and that’s my life,” she said. “I’m not going to take anything down.”

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Marge Stenftenagel talks on the phone with her son Steve "Little Si" Stenftenagel in Jasper, Ind. on May 31, 2018. Steve calls her every day to check in. A note on Marge’s mirror has reminded her to “Visit Si often” since his death six years ago.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Marge Stenftenagel says a prayer at Si's grave in Jasper, Ind. on June 13, 2018. When Marge visits her late husband, Si, at Fairview Cemetery, she often thinks about what they used to do together. “I tell him he’s in a better place,” she said.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Marge Stenftenagel works on her plywood yard art in her home on April 25, 2018. Marge feels she is still married to Si, and would never imagine taking off her wedding ring. Once, when doing laundry, her hand bumped the rim of the washing machine and the ring’s diamond fell inside. “That was scary,” she said. “It would have killed me. I would have died if it would have fallen down one of them holes. I’d probably cry like I cried when Si died.”

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Marge Stenftenagel has her hair done by Amy Goebel of Jasper at Jagged Edge Hair Studio in Jasper before her Holy Family Catholic Church photo on June 21, 2018. “If you look halfway decent, you feel halfway decent,” said Marge. Doing her hair and makeup is an important routine for her confidence.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Marge Stenftenagel now spends time there with her new companions: goldfish, cat and dog, as she does on June 21, 2018. While she is still active in the community, she loves to sit by the pond, where she and Si spent the most time together.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Story Description: Brooke Winfield, 17, is a mother to a two-year-old son. Brooke found out she was pregnant at age 14, made the decision to keep her baby, find a job and support her child. Though Brooke's journey has been bumpy, she is knows that her son has "pushed (her) to do a lot better for (her)self and for him."

Caption: Brooke Winfield watches over her son Vincent, 2, as he naps on the couch in Evansville, Ind. on September 17, 2017.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Brooke Winfield closes a drawer that Vincent had reached into while she puts on makeup in the morning in Evansville, Ind. on Nov. 28, 2018. Brooke knows she has given up much of her ability to be a "normal teenager."

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Brooke listens to a lecture in her Early Childhood course at Ivy Tech Community College in Evansville, Ind. on Sept. 9, 2017. Brooke graduated high school with 9 college credits, and plans to attend USI in the fall and start working towards her nursing degree.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Brooke talks with her friends at AIS High School during a school family night in Evansville, Ind. on Sept. 7, 2017. School has provided a supportive network for Brooke, not only with staff members, but friends who understand what she is going through.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Vincent cries before Brooke leaves for work after dropping him at a relative's home in Evansville, Ind. on Sept. 12, 2017. "Its been a rollercoaster," said Brooke. "Sometimes you will have bad days, but with Vincent it's just pushed me to do a lot better for myself and for him.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

At North Park Nursing Center, Brooke uses a stern voice with a resident to help her transition from the bed to the wheelchair in Evansville, Ind. on Oct. 19, 2017. Eventually Brooke needed the help of two other staff members. As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), Brooke cares for adults by doing everything from delivering meals to changing their clothes and helping them shower. Between raising Vincent and her job as a CNA, she spends much of her time caring for others.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

After taking off her heels because of a blister, Brooke waits to walk on stage at graduation at AIS Diamond High School on May 22, 2018. "I was really nervous, but once I took my shoes off, I didn't have anything to be nervous about," Brooke said.

Third Place, Student Photographer of the Year - Marlena Sloss / Ohio University

Brooke does dishes in her home before going to work while keeping an eye on Vincent on Nov. 16, 2017. "I'm 17, but I feel like I've became an adult at an early age." While her father helps her care for Vincent, she is still expected to keep up with her household chores.