2018 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ricky Solis, 6, lays in bed after his mom and nurse dressed him in a blazer and button down shirt for his mom's wedding February 8, 2018. After an auto crash in February 2017, Ricky suffered severe injuries, including paraplegia and brain trauma. His mother's fiancé, Yancarlos Mendez, helped as a caretaker before he was detained by ICE in December 2017.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sandra Mendoza opens the blinds in her Springdale home Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, as she waits for Pastor Alfredo Ortiz to pick her and her son, Ricky, up to drive more than two hours to Morrow County Jail in Mount Gilead, Ohio for her wedding.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Parker, 16, says he uses marijuana “medically,” to fight anxiety. Here, he’s at the after-school intensive outpatient services offered through Northern Kentucky Children’s Home to adolescents with substance-use disorders. Parker says his mom has had addictions for years, first to crack cocaine, then heroin. “She’s been in and out of my life my whole life,” he says. “She first left when I was 3 or 4, maybe even sooner.” He only remembers "bits and pieces" of it. Parker has bounced around between his mother and grandparents, living in three homes in the last six months. As many as 30 percent to 60 percent of the children of parents who have addiction disorders might have their own substance-use disorder at some point, experts say.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dahlia Dunkin, 4, of North College Hill, plays in the snow while speakers address the crowd of thousands at the Cincinnati Women's March, January 20, 2018 in downtown Cincinnati.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

187 units participate in the 99th annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade before the Cincinnati Reds play the Chicago Cubs, April 1, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Thousands of fans watch The National perform at Homecoming Festival on the west stage at Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, April 29, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot from Leonardo Mayer of Argentina on the Center court at the Western & Southern Open, August 17, 2018 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dance Flash Fusion performs at the start of the Cincinnati Women's March in downtown Cincinnati, January 20, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

First lady Melania Trump plays with Maya Baughman at an activity center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, February 5, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Fredericka Wagner, 76, of Lucasville, covers her face as she walks into the Pike County Courthouse for her arraignment Thursday, November 15, 2018. Wagner along with Rita Newcomb, 65, of South Webster, are accused of perjury and obstructing justice for allegedly misleading investigators; Newcomb also is charged with forging custody documents to cover up the crimes. The women are mothers of Angela Wagner and George "Billy" Wagner and grandmothers of the Wagners' two sons, George Wagner IV and Edward "Jake" Wagner, who are facing murder charges. The killings took place in 2016 at different scenes, all around the same time with 32 bullets fired into the eight victims. It would spawn the largest homicide investigation in Ohio history.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Council Member Christopher Smitherman is sworn in as vice mayor while surrounded by his family at the inaugural session of the city council held at the Music Hall ballroom January 2, 2018. Smitherman's wife, Pamela, is battling breast cancer and was not expected to live to her husband's swearing in ceremony. Her family supports her to stand by her husband.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Miron Siler sits by the pool for his swim team's end of the season party at Ziegler Pool in Over-the-Rhine, August 1, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

A double rainbow forms over Music Hall in downtown Cincinnati, September 5, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dozens of young swimmers learn to kick in the water at Ziegler Pool during their first swim practice as the brand new swim team called Over-the-Rhine Rhinos, May 30, 2018. The swimmers range in ages from 4 to 13.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Elsa McEwan and Layla Porter learn how to kick during the first swim practice of the Over-the-Rhine Rhinos, May 30, 2018. The team held practices five days a week. Most of the team members did not know how to swim on the first day.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Aria Groomes hesitates before jumping off the diving board at Ziegler Park. Coach Emma Vansteenkiste waits below. The swim team organizers aimed for the program to help the children feel safe, strong and confident in the water.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ariana Davis floats in the water during practice on June 8. If the team members attended practice, they were able to visit the pool for free. Most of the participants were previously not members.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Coach Ludo Corsini helps Kamarly Johnson during warmups. A record-holding swimmer, Corsini remembers his first practices as a boy in Milan, Italy, and holding on to his swim instructor in the pool.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kamilah Johnson stretches during warmups before a practice. The group wears swim caps featuring a logo design from Cincy Shirts, a company located just blocks away from Ziegler Park.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ziegler Park is located on Sycamore Street, nudged between homes and businesses, restaurants and bars. The park is named for the first mayor of Cincinnati.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

One weekday morning, D’Marco McCay didn't have his goggles for practice, so he squeezed his eyes tight when he went underwater. As he glided through the water, a grin spread across his face.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Myla McKinney and Ben Yisrael take a break during a Rhinos practice.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Aria Groomes reaches the wall during the final meet, July 28, 2018.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jayden Davis stands on the edge of the pool for the final meet, July 28, 2018 at Ziegler Pool.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mossimbo Eric paddles a pirogue, which is a long narrow canoe made from a single tree trunk, on the Ndoki river towards Mbeli Bai inside the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, March 10, 2018 in the Republic of Congo. The Cincinnati Zoo's director Thane Maynard and curator of primates Ron Evans traveled to the Republic of Congo in March 2018 to see the wild western lowland gorillas and to tour the research sites that the zoo has supported for almost two decades.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Loya climbs a tree. He is the silverback of the only habituated group of western lowland gorillas at the Goualougo Triangle in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Researchers and trackers habituate the gorillas to human presence, so they can follow the groups to observe and record their behavior on a daily basis. The habituation process requires a lot of time and is dangerous.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Thane Maynard, Ron Evans and Dave Morgan watch a group of chimpanzees in a tree at the Goualougo Triangle inside the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Modjiaye, a male gorilla, looks at the group of trackers and researchers. Because the terrain of the western lowland gorilla habitat is so remote and complicated, it took researchers years to be able to find and study them. The first research on the species only started twenty years ago.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Severin Kialiema, a research assistant, helps cover the face of Juan Ortega, a researcher and the site manager of the Goualougo Triangle Ape Project, before Juan collects samples from Etacko's body. The two men must follow health precautions by completely covering their body.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

A group of trackers play cards at the end of the day. Goualougo Triangle trackers and researchers wake up every morning at four. They leave camp at 6 a.m. and follow the great apes for ten hours. Their knowledge of the forest is invaluable to the research. The work is consistent, well-payed and rewarding.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

"Oh this is the biggest adventure I've ever been on," says Thane Maynard. "And I've been on some adventures. I've been in places that are far away. I've caught malaria. I've done it all."

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

A logging truck hauling felled trees is transported across the Sangha river on a barge. Some of the trees logging companies are cutting down can be up to 900 years old. This is big business here. Dave Morgan and WCS are working with the logging companies to minimize the environmental impact of this economy.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

A group of eco-guards stop on the elephant trail to Goualougo Triangle for a portrait. The men were dispatched, after Ron Evans heard two gunshots in the middle of the night. The park employs has about 50 eco-guards to patrol the forest.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ron Evans watches baby Tembo interact with his mother, Mekome. “This is why we do what we do,” Ron says, tears in his eyes. “That is the future” he repeats, as he points to Tembo.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

Buka walks away from the trackers to find more food. About 60% of the world's western lowland population live in the Republic of Congo.

First Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer

After a week in the forest, the group leaves to return to the Wildlife Conservation Society's basecamp in Bomassa. "The heartening part is that this has only been protected for less than 25 years," said Thane Maynard. "It was through the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Dr. Mike Fay and his mega transect and hundreds of other people that worked for the government of Congo to say this is important."

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Nuniq, Neva, and Amelia Gray, the only polar bear cubs born at a North American zoological facility in 2016, are scheduled to move from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium this fall. Females Amelia Gray and her half-sister, Neva, will both move to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. The announcement of Neva’s twin brother Nuniq’s new home will be made soon. Neva dives into the water at Polar Frontier at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on August 30, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Elayne Gross of Central Ohio's AmeriCorps (Ohio Reading Corps and Ohio Math Corps) places American Flags next to headstones as other members of AmeriCorps cleans headstones in Section 71 of Green Lawn Cemetery on September 11, 2018. The headstones were mostly of WWI veterans and some Spanish American war veterans. Gross was a 9/11 survivor.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Jennifer Castle (right) can't read her victim impact statement so her fiancé Jason North reads it in the courtroom at the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court in Circleville, on January 24, 2018. Castle's son, 16-year-old Samuel Nicholson II, was shot and killed by Justin Blevins. Blevins was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 37 years.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Upper Arlington High School students throw their caps up into the air at the end of commencement at Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, on May 27, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Retta Tegegne of Bezalel Construction worked on the roof of a covered bridge in Upper Sandusky on June 21, 2018. Tegegne is from Ethiopia and started Bezalel Construction in 2009.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ambar Abdiwahab of the U15 Hilltop Tigers dances on the stage after receiving medallions and certificates by the Columbus City Council after a successful soccer season at the Westgate Community Recreation Center in Columbus on November 14, 2018. About 70 kids from Wedgewood Village, mostly comprised of Somali immigrant families, played in 4 different teams in the Mid Ohio Select Soccer League this season.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Sgt. Maj. Shawn Hayslett (right) salutes the flags while the Ohio National Guard Color Guard holds the flag during the playing of the National Anthem before the Memorial Honoree Ceremony at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 30, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State tight end Rashod Berry (13) tries to get away from Maryland linebacker Nnamdi Egbuaba (31) after making a catch on fourth down in overtime at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland on November 17, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State student James Finefrock gets the M in 'Muck Fichigan" painted on by Nicole Zaayer, Junior (left) and Drew Hardin (right) before the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on November 24, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Clippers center fielder Brandon Barnes (9) and left fielder Melky Cabrera (24) collide and drop a fly ball against Gwinnett Braves during their game at Huntington Park in May 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

On February 10th, 2018 Quentin L. Smith shot and killed two Westerville police officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli after they responded to a hang-up 911 call at Smith's townhome in Westerville. Quentin L. Smith, accused of killing two Westerville police officers, makes his initial appearance in Franklin County Municipal Court on February 20, 2018. The Franklin County prosecutor’s office will seek the death penalty for Quentin L. Smith in 2019.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Jeff Benninger of Sunbury holds an American flag as Columbus Fire sets up a flag on Huber Village Blvd early morning on February 12, 2018. Westerville Police will escort the bodies of Westerville Police officers Morelli and Joering home from Franklin County Coroners office today.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Lindsay Evans (left) holds friend Rachel Kaczmarek, right, as the Police escort of Westerville Police officers Morelli and Joering home from Franklin County Coroners head through Westerville on February 12, 2018. Evans and Kaczmarek has officer Morelli as a resource officer in middle school.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Police Honor Guard Sgt. Jim Morrow watches as the caskets of Westerville Police officers Joering and Morelli arrive at St. Paul Catholic Church for the funeral services in Westerville on February 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Westerville Police line up to escort the casket of Westerville Police officers Joering and Morelli into St. Paul Catholic Church for the funeral services in Westerville on February 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

A mourner touches the casket of officer Morelli at St. Paul Catholic Church during the public viewing of Westerville Police officers Joering and Morelli in Westerville on February 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Westerville officer Eric Joering’s wife, Jamie, puts her head down while her daughter, Ella, looks on during funeral services at St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville on February 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Westerville Police Chief Joseph Morbitzer walks slowly to presents the American flag that was over the casket of Westerville officer Morelli to his wife Linda and family after funeral services at St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville on February 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State's Kyle Snyder heads to the mat to take on Iowa's Steven Holloway during the 285 match at Value City Arena in Columbus on January 21, 2018. Snyder won TF 24-9. Snyder finished his Ohio State wrestling career with 3 straight NCAA championships, two world championships and 1 Olympic gold medal.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State's Kyle Snyder answer questions for the media before practice at Ohio State Steelwood center on January 16, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State's Kyle Snyder wrestles Iowa's Steven Holloway during the 285 match at Value City Arena in Columbus on January 21, 2018. Snyder won TF 24-9. After the match Kyle goes to Russia for team USA and wrestles in the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix . Snyder becomes the first U.S. man to win two Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix gold medals with a victory at 97 kilograms/213 pounds at the open tournament Sunday in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder sits behind the arena after beating Pittsburgh's Ryan Solomon MD 15-5 during Round One of the 2018 NCAA Division I wrestling championships at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on March 15, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State Kyle Snyder gets by his brother, Kevin, during a two on two football game before the start of practice. Kyle likes to play any kind of game before the start of wrestling practice. He proclaims to be undefeated in two on two football.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Despite his travel and wrestling commitments, Kyle Snyder has a 3.75 grade point average and is on track to graduate this summer with a sports industry degree. Kyle attends a sport marketing class at Ohio State on March 1, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

After a grueling workout and practice Kyle relaxes in a pool at the RPAC on the campus of Ohio State.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Kyle said he relies on his faith to help him cope with the pressure that may come from competing. "Knowing that (God) has a plan for me has always helped me live a stress-free and worry-free life." Kyle enjoys a Rock City Church service with his girlfriend Maddie on Sunday morning.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State's Kyle Snyder scores two points Iowa's Steven Holloway during the 285 match at Value City Arena in Columbus on January 21, 2018. Snyder won TF 24-9.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder (285) celebrates after beating Michigan’s Adam Conn to win the 285 finals during the 2018 NCAA Division I wrestling championships at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on March 17, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Zach Harrison is 6-5½, 243-pound senior at Olentangy Orange Zach Harrison. Harrison is the No. 4 overall recruit and the top strong-side defensive end prospect in the country. Harrison is also the highest-rated recruit ever from Columbus and third-highest-rated from Ohio. Zach narrowed his list of finalists to Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State before the start of the season. Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison pulls himself up during an early morning workout in the gym before practice on August 2, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison lines up to start warming up before the start of practice on July 30, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison listens to his head football coach Zebb Schroeder speaks to the his team during the first day of fall practice on July 30, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

During his lunch period Zach Harrison shows off a defensive play that he created in class for head coach Zebb Schroeder at Orange High School on November 8, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison folds sheets at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio on September 16, 2018. Zach and his mother, Tracey, spent Sunday afternoon doing laundry in the basement at the Ronald McDonal House.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison is tripled blocked late in the second half of his game against Olentangy Liberty on October 19, 2018. Olentangy Orange beat their cross town rival 17-3.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Zach Harrison uses his phone to read the latest on Twitter in his bedroom on December 4, 2018. Either in the morning Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer stepped down as coach. Ohio State along with Michigan and Penn State are the final three schools that Zach will pick on signing day on December 19.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

The Harrison's family Zahara, Jimmie, Zach and Tracey figure out how to hold arms while being introduced for Zach's senior night on October 26, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison high-fives fans after beating cross town rival Olentangy Liberty 17-3 on October 19, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison meets Penn State head coach James Franklin at midfield before Penn State game against Ohio State game at Beaver Stadium on September 29, 2018. Zach was the only recruit who got to meet Franklin on the field before the game.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison drafts up his tweet of which school he will pick before his announcement that he will sign with Ohio State over Michigan and Penn State in front of family, friends and students at Olentangy Orange High School on December 19, 2018.

Second Place, Photographer of the Year - Large Market - Kyle Robertson / The Columbus Dispatch

Olentangy Orange's Zach Harrison announces that he will sign with Ohio State over Michigan and Penn State in front of family, friends and students at Olentangy Orange High School on December 19, 2018.