First Place, Feature - Meg Vogel / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Ultraviolet”Jack Mueller uses a homemade ultraviolet light to clean his funeral home between services on July 18, 2020, in Mason. Early in the pandemic, visitations and services were not permitted. The Mueller Funeral had to adapt. They used chairs and tape to indicate where people can stand in line during a visitation for proper social distancing. Posted signs read, "Masks are required. Refrain from hugging."
Second Place, Feature - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “Hair Cut”Justin Yates (right) trims Eldon Church Junior's hair in the former recreation room of the Coshocton County Justice Center in January, 2020. Due to overcrowding, the room has been converted to house cots for 10 inmates.
Third Place, Feature - Albert Cesare / The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Faith Coronavirus Pandemic ”Glenn and Lara Gigandet watch a live streamed Mass with their children Dorothy, 6, Charles, 5, Paul, 3, and Mabel, five-month-old, on Sunday, March 22, 2020 at their home in Mason. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati suspended all public Masses due to the new coronavirus pandemic. A family attempted to create a new normal during the pandemic, to me sums up how the new coronavirus impacted all of our lives.
Award of Excellence, Feature - Amy E. Voigt / The Blade, “Tapwater ”Anthony Gaston (left) takes a drink of water from the tap while his youngest sister Avery Gaston watches in the kitchen at their home in Ravine Park Village on September 21, 2020. The two were helping their mother, Amber Lewandowski, cook dinner while she took a moment to herself in the living room and let the children mind themselves. Unlike many families who stay on the wait list for public housing, Ms. Lewandowski said there was a place available for her within 60 days. She was relieved when she got the call notifying her she was approved. “When I first moved in I fell in love with it instantly,” she said.
Award of Excellence, Feature - Katie R Forbes / Freelance, “Julius Tate”Parents of Julius Tate Jr, who was killed by Columbus Police. Speaking at "The People's State of the City."
Award of Excellence, Feature - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, “Learning From Home”Lily Morgan, 6, reads to her brother Isaac, 5, in a box their parents saved for them to use while they are home from school due to the novel coronavirus. This is the first week of school closures in Ohio and parents have been scrambling for ways to homeschool their children and keep them engaged in learning. Isaac was fulfilling one of his school requirements by having a family member read to him. In the background their mom, Liz Morgan is busy clearing the table from the mornings first round of lessons.
Award of Excellence, Feature - Jeremy Wadsworth / The Blade, “Quinterpino ”iMalcolm Mann pushes his 29-year-old African Giant Sulcata Tortoise named Quinterpino in a wheelchair October 9, 2020, in the O’Reilly Auto Parts parking lot on Broadway Street in Toledo. Mr. Mann uses the wheelchair to take the tortoise back to his car after letting her walk around for awhile.
