–News Picture Story 1st Place: Griffin Moores/The News-Leader– “Cheer” Waynesboro High School’s Sonny Carey stretches her arms on the ground in preparation for the team’s cheerleading state championship performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014. With emotions running high and the weight of an entire season riding on their shoulders, the annual cheerleading competition brings dozens of teams from around Virginia together to compete for the state championship.
Wilson Memorial cheerleading coaches Renae Bailey, left, and Shannon Capriotti, right, celebrate the final moments of their team’s Group 2A cheerleading state championship winning performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Wilson Memorial High School cheerleaders hold hands awaiting the results of the Group 2A cheerleading state championship in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Wilson Memorial High School cheerleaders perform during the Group 2A cheerleading state championship in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Wilson Memorial High School’s Savannah Hull, center, talks with teammates before their Group 2A cheerleading state championship performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Robert E. Lee High School’s Michelle Spencer walks off the competition mat with her face in her hands after falling during the school’s final performance in the Group 2A cheerleading state championship in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Waynesboro High School cheerleaders warm up before the start of their Group 3A cheerleading state championship performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Wilson Memorial High School cheerleaders walk together to the warm up area before their Group 2A cheerleading state championship performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Robert E. Lee High School’s Gabby Sansom, who tore her ACL and meniscus in a previous competition, is comforted by her teammates before they started their state finals routine without her in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Wilson Memorial High School cheerleading coach Renae Bailey, left, gives one of her athletes, Rachel VanFossen, a kiss on the cheek before their performance in the Group 2A cheerleading championship in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Robert E. Lee High School cheerleaders run out to the competition mat to start their Group 2A cheerleading state championship performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
Kelsey Sims, right, a senior on Wilson Memorial High School’s cheerleading team, embraces her classmate Taylor Bailey moments after completing their Group 2A state championship winning performance in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014. “It’s the best and worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my life,” said Sims, describing the final performance as perfect but bittersweet as it is her last with the team.
Wilson Memorial High School cheerleaders perform during the Group 2A cheerleading state championship in Richmond on Nov. 8, 2014.
–News Picture Story 2nd Place: Jonathon Gruneke/Daily Press–Monsur Dawodu, left, stares off into the distance as Jide Oshin, right, hands back the mugshot of Rashad D’Antrell Ashlock, a 20-year-old who has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Jide’s father, Isaac Oshin, owner of Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar. Dozens of people gathered outside the club Friday evening for a vigil to remember Isaac Oshin. Oshin was shot to death Wednesday evening inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Ave.
Jide Oshin begins to cry while remembering his father, Isaac Oshin, owner of Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar, inside the club before the start of Friday’s vigil. Dozens of people gathered outside the club Friday evening for a vigil to remember Isaac Oshin who was shot to death Wednesday evening inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Ave.
Friends and family listen during a vigil for Isaac Oshin outside Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar Friday evening. Dozens of people gathered outside the club to remember Isaac Oshin who was shot to death inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Avenue Wednesday evening.
Former employees, friends and family hold candles and balloons during a vigil for Isaac Oshin outside Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar Friday evening. Dozens of people gathered outside the club to remember Isaac Oshin who was shot to death inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Avenue Wednesday evening.
Friends and family lights candles during a vigil for Isaac Oshin outside Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar Friday evening. Dozens of people gathered outside the club to remember Isaac Oshin who was shot to death inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Avenue Wednesday evening.
Rita Thornton begins to cry during a vigil for Isaac Oshin outside Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar Friday evening. Dozens of people gathered outside the club to remember Isaac Oshin who was shot to death inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Avenue Wednesday evening.
Terry Riddick walks past a sign during Friday evening’s vigil for Isaac Oshin outside Majik City Gentlemen’s Club and Sports Bar Friday evening. Dozens of people gathered outside the club to remember Isaac Oshin who was shot to death inside the club at 5825 Jefferson Avenue Wednesday evening.
–News Picture Story 3rd Place: Jonathon Gruneke/Daily Press–Guests find their seats prior to the christening of the submarine John Warner SSN 785 Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Navy crew of the submarine John Warner SSN 785 stand before the start of the christening Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Adelynne MacKenzie, 2, plugs her ears as the U.S. Fllet Forces Band plays prior to the christening of the submarine John Warner SSN 785 Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Navy personnel and guests tour around the submarine John Warner SSN 785 before the christening Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Navy crew of the submarine John Warner SSN 785 stand before the start of the christening Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Jeanne Warner christens the submarine John Warner SSN 785 Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Jeanne Warner, John Warner and Commander Dan Caldwell acknowledge the crowd after fireworks and christening the submarine John Warner SSN 785 Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Navy crew of the submarine John Warner SSN 785 watch as fireworks and a light show fills the sky after christening the submarine John Warner SSN 785 Saturday evening at Newport News Shipbuilding.
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