2020 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Tashia Croom supports her 18 month old son Kendrix as he tries to climb into the bath tub. Tashia and her family have stayed in the Licking County area for 3 generations, building deep ties within the community. Tashia graduated from Heath high school, just as her mother, her sisters and in two years her daughter. The women all coach volleyball and basketball at the school.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Marley Jhordan, 10, plays with her dad, Rese Jhordan's hair as they sit on their front porch June 17, 2020 in Newark, Ohio. Asked her favorite thing about her dad, Marley quietly said “He’s a really great dad. I love him a lot.”

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Dr. Tim Miller stands with his arms around his daughters, Avery and Sydney during mass at St. Edwards in Granville on June 7, 2020. The Church started holding mass again but with some differences. Many of the pews are roped off to help keep to social distancing guidelines. All parishioners must wear face coverings and wash their hands as they enter the church and there is no hand shaking.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

JoAnn Poulton presses her hand up to glass door to say goodbye to her mom, Kathy Poulton who leans in to kiss her hand on March 17, 2020. Kathy is a resident at the Inn at Chapel Grove, a senior living facility in Heath and is living with dementia. In some ways, JoAnn thinks her mom having dementia is easier for her in this time, so she doesn't get scared, but also knows her mom doesn't understand why she can't enter the building and give a hug. "Its hard," she said. "Every week we lose a little more of her."

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

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.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

A man holds his ground with his fist in the air as tear gas and Columbus police officers dressed in riot gear try to push back protestors at a Black Lives Matter rally on May 31, 2020. Police and rioters clashed throughout the day as tear gas and rubber bullets were shot indiscriminately into crowds of largely peaceful protestors protesting the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and police brutality.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Dr. Janae Davis embraces her daughter, Mara Royster after she spoke at a forum her older sister, Jadyn Paige, organized. Royster spoke about how her mom helped her to love herself. The Students Against Racism Forum was held at Geller Park in Heath June 24, 2020. The event has been one of many peaceful events in Licking County. The goal of the forum was to create an open dialog about race and a safe space for students to share their experiences.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

The Coshocton County jail is the second least compliant jail in the state of Ohio. The jail, which was built in 1972 was originally built to house 65 inmates. When the state of Ohio implemented their code system it was determined only 15 inmates could safely be housed in the jail. Today there are usually around 80 inmates and as many as 90 serving their time in the building.
There are little to no social services offered in the jail. The classroom space has been converted into filing space. The former rec room now holds 10 cots for inmates to sleep on. Others are crammed into extra rooms. At risk inmates can be held in receiving for their entire time incarcerated. The legal limit is 12 hours. Fights are commonplace and the guards have been attacked 8 times. The county has been pursuing a new jail for several years, including seeking help from officials at the state level. Commissioners have often said the current justice center is the biggest liability to the county and the justice center building is considered the worst in the state by the DRC.

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.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Kassie Carpenter, 23, looks out from the padded cell listening to the general population at the Coshocton County Justice Center in November, 2020. Carpenter was arrested for felony possession of drugs and shortly after placed on suicide watch and placed in the padded cell. Carpenter was hoping to be able to turn her life around but had a hard time dealing with the recent death of her mother which drove her to be placed on suicide watch and later taken to a psychiatric hospital.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Inmates in cell block B at the Coshocton County Justice Center pass the time watching TV and talking January 14, 2020. The more violent offenders, usually awaiting trial, are placed in the two cell blocks while low level offenders are in more open areas.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Dallas Wood speaks with his girlfriend, Justice Dawson while in cell block A at the Coschoton County Justice Center November 18, 2020. The Justice Center has added video cameras that allow inmates to see their loved ones while in jail during the pandemic and in person visits are not allowed.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

An inmate, working as a trustee playfully pokes his head out from his 4 man cell in January, 2020. The trustees at the jail can earn time off of their sentence by helping the guards with daily tasks like mopping or helping prepare meals.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Zachary Grimmett-Anderson (left) and Joel Davis (right) play a game of chess in the recreation room at the Coshocton County Justice Center November 24, 2020. The jail is the second least compliant in the state of Ohio.There are no programs for inmates. The recreation room has been converted into a bunk room with cots lining the walls. In the center of the room are two tables where inmates can play either chess or cards.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Josh Bechtol eats lunch on his cot located in the jails recreation room due to overcrowding in January, 2020. Bechtol is serving a sentence for failure to pay child support. Many of the inmates at the Coshocton County Justice Center are in for the same reason. This adds to overcrowding in the jail as well as makes it harder for the men to get a job and keep up with child support when they are released. It's a catch 22 the jail administrator, Chip Uschides, wishes he could change.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Summer Wood speaks with her attorney, Marie Seiber and Judge Batchelor during her arraignment June 1, 2020. Due to the coronavirus, arraignments are done by video from the Coshocton Justice Center, which can be add stress for inmates trying to navigate the justice system.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

An inmate at the Coshocton County Justice Center places a plastic cup over a lightbulb in his cell to dim the light, March 4, 2020.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

A female inmate looks out from her cell block while brushing her teeth on the morning of May 29, 2020.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

The Lakewood softball team started the first days of their 2020 season with such optimism. They were favored to make a run for the state championship this year. But as the news started coming in about a potential pandemic players got nervous. When a shutdown was issued for schools in March the girls were devastated but kept their faith. They continued to practice at home. Alone. Finished their school work at home. Alone. And even graduate in an empty gym. They began to loose hope of having even a shortened season. Their coach knew the team, especially the seniors needed closure so he organized a senior night game pitting JV against varsity so the team could play on their home field in 2020.

As winter turned to spring the Lakewood softball team began practice for their upcoming season March 11, 2020, yet unaware that the pandemic would hit canceling what was a highly anticipated season.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Laila Schmitt and Heather Young get ready in the Lakewood locker rooms before having their team pictures taken March 13, 2020. Their Coach Jon Griffith wanted to make sure the team got their pictures taken before the shut down in case their season was canceled. At the time there were so many uncertainties and the girls were all holding out hope they would only be out three weeks of their season.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Lakewood players uncover the field for the last time before the shutdown began March 13 2020. At the time there were so many uncertainties and the girls were all holding out hope they would only be out three weeks of their season.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Lakewood senior and third baseman, Kylah Morrison, laughs while visiting with friends May 7, 2020, during the shut down. She and her friends met in a parking lot and stayed in their cars to abide by social distancing guidelines, laughing and gossiping for hours.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Katie Chittum, pitcher for Lakewood softball, studies for her AP exam at home on May 1, 2020. As schools shut down students were forced to work online in their homes.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Keelie Davis practices her hitting skills in her garage in April during the shut down. Davis, like her teammates, remained hopeful their season would not be completely canceled and wanted to keep her skills sharp.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Kylah Morrison walks through the cornfield looking for softballs April 7. Kylah the balls into the field while working on her hitting skills in her backyard. Kylah who was a senior was especially heartbroken at missing her final season with her high school team.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

By June the stands at the Lakewood softball field became overgrown with weeds. The field stood empty. All signs of the springtime lockdown in Ohio that prevents students from going to school and athletes playing their games.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Lakewood senior, Laila Schmitt wrestles with balloons that spell out 2020 for their senior night they had June 30. Their season was canceled but OHSAA regulations allowed teams to cobble together a makeshift summer season to let kids play with their teams. Lakewood senior night was a family affair and saw the JV team take on varsity players.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Katie Chittum, now a Lakewood graduate, talks with her mom after readjusting her cap and giving the invocation during her graduation, May 18 2020. Due to the pandemic students had to sign up for a time slot and walk through an empty gym with only four family members in attendee to cheer them. The ceremony was recored and played online when their ceremony would have been held.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Katie Barton does pull-ups in the dugout after picture day, March 13. Lakewood coach Jon Griffith made sure the team got their picture taken before the shutdown began.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Lakewood senior, Kaitlyn Vaubel raises flowers she received at senior night after being honored with her parents and other seniors June 30, 2020. The varsity team then played the JV team for one final game.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Leah Hrebluk is a single mom raising two daughters with special needs. Her children are the reasons why Leah continues to advocate, and the reason why she views life through a different lens. A positive one. “We're still living the life. We may not be able to do as much as some people do,” Leah said. “But we take what we can. We do it. And then when enough is enough, we go back home and we rest.”

Leah Hrebluk holds onto her daughter, Sophia, and coaxes her into her new classroom on the first day of school in Granville August 21, 2019. Sophia was nervous about starting 7th grade in a new school away from the teachers and friends she had made while at Licking Valley.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Leah Hrebluk helps her daughter, Sophia, with her hair on the first day of 7th grade, August 21, 2019. Sophia was born weeks early and spent her first weeks of life in the NICU. Her twin brother Micheal, died and Sophia was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Leah Hrebluk holds her youngest daughter, Kyndall, in her arms at TJ Evans Park while she chit chats with a friend in August 2019. Leah, who is a single mom is raising two special needs daughters, Kyndall who has Down syndrome, and Sophia who has Cerebral Palsy.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Leah holds her daughter Sophia in the doctors office, January 7, 2020, comforting her before she has to get a shot. Sophia was extremely nervous about receiving a shot that day but eventually faced her fear with courage, the way she always does. Born with Cerebral Palsy Sophia has had to fight for everything in life.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Enjoying the laughter of her two girls wrestling, Leah puts together the Christmas tree they then decorated together December 6, 2019. Leah kept her tree up for months after Christmas because she loved the lights so much. The family was also waiting for a big snow to celebrate a 'White Christmas' with her older children.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

The only time Kyndall became animated on the trip to the grocery store in late January, 2020 was when they passed the Valentines Day cookies so her mom, Leah decided to get her a package. Kyndall had been sick most of the winter and Leah was desperate for anything to make her youngest daughter feel better.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Kyndall Hrebluk gently rests her hand on her mom, Leah's shoulder as she dozes on her bed, October 24, 2019.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Leah Hrebluk holds her daughter, Kyndall close before she goes in for surgery at Nationwide Children's Hospital March 10, 2020. Kyndall had been having severe sinus infections, a symptom common for those with Down syndrome. The surgery was to help alleviate those symptoms by removing her tonsils. Kyndall's dolls, Baby Luke and Lucy Lu are on her hospital bed so she will have something familiar when she wakes up from the surgery.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

On a chilly winter night Sophia and Kyndall both climbed into their mom, Leah Hrebluk's bed March 11, 2020. The trio are extremely close and do everything together.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

Dancing in the kitchen with her daughters is just one of the many ways Leah Hrebluk shows her love and sense of adventure by trying to make every moment count. November 14, 2020.

First Place, George S. Smallsreed Jr. Photographer of the Year - Small Market - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate

While waiting to pick up Kyndall from school Sophia and her mom spent the time talking about how things at school were going, November 14, 2020. Sophia had been having trouble making friends and Leah was worried.