1st Place Feature: Matt McClain, Washington Post—A visitor is reflected in the glass while taking in the sunset from the Observation Deck at CEB Tower in the Rosslyn area on Tuesday October 23, 2018 in Arlington, VA. The observation deck that opened this year offers a 360 degree view of the area.
2nd Place Feature: Kaitlin McKeown, Virginian-Pilot—Norma Agee wears headphones while dancing with Kendall Ramirez, program director at Commonwealth Senior Living’s Leigh Hall, during a “silent dance party” on Oct. 30, 2018 in Norfolk. Residents wore headphones designed to eliminate extraneous noise and help senior citizens with hearing loss.
3rd Place Feature: William Douglas Graham, Loudoun Now—Welcoming back the sunshine as shafts of light beam into an indoor riding arena as an equestrian hacks her horse after what seemed like weeks of rain.
HM Feature: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Three-year-old Jonas Brin, center, plays in boxes at the Virginia Living Museum Monday during their Stellar Noon Year’s Eve event December 31, 2018. The outer space themed event featured crafts, games, Star Wars characters and activities aimed at teaching to reduce environmental impact.
HM Place Feature: Matt McClain, Washington Post—A wild pony is seen at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday December 19, 2018 in Accomack County, VA. Several of the ponies at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge have contracted “swamp cancer” or pythiosis.
1st Place News: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Tech Sgt. Grant Kiekhaefer kisses his two-year-old daughter Kori Kiekhaefer during a homecoming ceremony at Langley Air Force Base Tuesday afternoon October 9, 2018. One hundred eighty-seven members of the 1st Fighter Wing returned home after a six month deployment in the Middle East.
2nd Place Feature: Matt McClain, Washington Post—Former president George W. Bush, President Donald Trump, and former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter look on at the conclusion of a funeral service for former president George H.W. Bush at Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday December 05, 2018 in Washington, DC.
3rd Place Feature: Kristen Zeis, Virginian-Pilot— Chief Petty Officer Franklin Cheromiah watches over as volunteers and loved ones place over 9,000 live wreaths at grave sites as part of the Horton Wreath Society wreath laying event at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Va., on Saturday, December 15, 2018. This was the 11th year the society put on the event.
HM News: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Susie Nelson walks past a painting of the Last Supper with german shepherd, Cali, as voters cast their ballots at Trinity United Methodist Church in Poquoson Tuesday afternoon November 6, 2018.
HM News: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Chief G. Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock Tribe performs a ceremonial blessing before the start of Wednesday’s event celebrating seven Virginia Tribes who recently received federal recognition October 3, 2018.
1st Place Portrait: Matt McClain, Washington Post—Carole Clement joins fellow supporters of Ansly Damus on a bus after attended a hearing for Damus at the Ann Arbor Federal Building on Wednesday November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, MI. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Gary Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart.
2nd Place Portrait: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Juan Mikel-Jones sits inside the weight room of New Kent before the start of Friday’s football game against Poquoson September 21, 2018. In January, Juan underwent heart transplant surgery after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in October.
3rd Place Portrait: Matt McClain, Washington Post—Armie Hammer poses for a portrait at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, DC on Tuesday December 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. Hammer appears in the movie, “On the Basis of Sex”.
1st Place Sports: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Phoebus’ Ramel Lewis, center, other players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Norcom 7-6 in triple overtime during Saturday afternoon’s Class 3 Region A championship game at Darling Stadium November 24, 2018.
3rd Place Sports: Matt McClain, Washington Post—Runners are blurred while passing not far from the Lincoln Memorial during the annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday October 28, 2018 in Washington, DC.
3rd Place Sports: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Norcom’s Thomas White is overcome with emotion after losing 7-6 in triple overtime to Phoebus during Saturday afternoon’s Class 3 Region A championship game at Darling Stadium November 24, 2018.
HM Place Sports: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—William and Mary head football coach Jimmye Laycock hugs his granddaughters Grail Johnson, left, and Nolan Johnson after the conclusion of Saturday’s game against the University of Richmond at Zable Stadium November 17, 2018. Saturday concluded his 39th and final season as William and Mary’s head football coach. Laycock holds the third-longest continuous head-coaching tenure in Division I football history. Ten of his teams reached the national playoffs, two advanced to the semifinals and he has coached more than 800 young men.
HM Place Sports: William Douglas Graham, Loudoun Now—Professional cyclist Lindsay Bayer gives her newborn a kiss as her mom looks on before starting the Armed Forces Cycling Classic bicycle race.
1st Place Multiple: Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press—Newport News Shipbuilding workers and distinguished guests find their seats before the start of the christening ceremony for the submarine Delaware at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered — 18th in the entire class.
Sailors of the submarine Delaware stand in formation during the christening ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered — 18th in the entire class.
Zachary Ross waves Delaware’s state flag and the American Flag during the christening ceremony for the submarine Delaware at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered — 18th in the entire class.
Sailors of the submarine Delaware gather before the start of the christening ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered — 18th in the entire class.
Officers and crew members of the submarine Delaware gather before the start of the christening ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered — 18th in the entire class.
Senator Thomas Carper, left, and Newport News Shipbuilding president Jennifer Boykin watch as Jill Biden, right, smashes a bottle of sparkling wine during the christening ceremony for the submarine Delaware at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered and 18th in the entire class.
Audience members hold hands during the christening ceremony for the submarine Delaware at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered — 18th in the entire class.
Jill Biden, right, celebrates with Senator Thomas Carper, center, and Commander Brian Hogan, left after smashing a bottle of sparkling wine during the christening ceremony for the submarine Delaware at Newport News Shipbuilding Saturday morning October 20, 2018. Delaware will be the ninth Virginia-class submarine that Newport News has delivered and 18th in the entire class.
2nd Place Multiple: Matt McClain, Washington Post—Immigration continued to be one of the biggest political issues in the United States. In the midst of President Trump’s desire for a border wall, new recruits to the U.S. Border Patrol go through a six-month program. Many will eventually be stationed along the southern border that is at the epicenter of the debate. Erin Herrgott, 20, of Oxford, MI, center, is talked to by instructor, Howard Parsons after arriving with other new trainees at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Wednesday August 29, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
New trainees carry their luggage to their dorms at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Wednesday August 29, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Edgar Delgado is talked to by instructor Roland Renaud while Delgado and other new trainees are fitted for uniforms, boots and hats at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Thursday August 30, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Replica firearms are seen lined up as trainees take part in an edge weapons training class at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Thursday August 30, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Miranda Shields takes her turn on the shooting range at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Wednesday August 29, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Felipe Chavez, left, jumps away from Silvia Gutierrez Gomez as they take part in edge weapons training at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Thursday August 30, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Erin Herrgott, 20, of Oxford, MI, top left, lines up with fellow new trainees at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Friday August 31, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Jacob Montagnani, 22, takes part in a practice scenario at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Thursday August 30, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Christopher Flores goes through a confidence course at the United States Border Patrol Academy on Thursday August 30, 2018 in Artesia, NM. The academy is on the grounds of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
3rd Place Multiple: Matt McClain, Washington Post—Ansly Damus, who is from Haiti had been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Strangers rallied to get him released, including Gary Benjamin and Melody Hart. Damus was released on Friday November 30th to live with Benjamin and Hart. Ansly Damus rides in the vehicle of Gary Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart after he was released from an ICE facility on Friday November 30, 2018 in Brooklyn Heights, OH. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and Hart.
Supporters of Ansly Damus board a bus to attend a hearing for Damus on Wednesday November 28, 2018 in Cleveland Heights, OH. The hearing was in Ann Arbor, MI. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum.
Gary Benjamin carries spare clothes for Ansly Damus after Gary and others rode a bus from Cleveland, OH in order to attend a hearing for Damus at the Ann Arbor Federal Building on Wednesday November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, MI. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart.
Melody Hart and her husband, Gary Benjamin find out that an agreement was agreed upon to have Ansly Damus released from detainment on Thursday November 29, 2018 in Cleveland Heights, OH. They are the sponsors for Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and Hart.
Ansly Damus hugs Gary Benjamin after Ansly was released from an ICE facility on Friday November 30, 2018 in Brooklyn Heights, OH. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart.
Ansly Damus picks up his belongings with Gary Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart at the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office on Friday November 30, 2018 in Chardon, OH. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly spent most of his time in detainment at the Geauga County Safety Center located on the same grounds at the Sheriff’s office. Friday he was released from an ICE facility in Brooklyn Heights, OH and had to travel to Chardon, OH to get his belongings. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and Hart.
Gary Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart pray with Ansly Damus as they stand in Ansly’s room at their home on Friday November 30, 2018 in Cleveland Heights, OH. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and Hart.
Ansly Damus wears an ankle monitor as he sits in the home of Gary Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart on Friday November 30, 2018 in Cleveland Heights, OH. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and Hart.
Ansly Damus talks on a phone with his family as he lives at the home of Gary Benjamin and his wife, Melody Hart on Saturday December 01, 2018 in Cleveland Heights, OH. Damus, who is from Haiti has been detained since 2016 after coming to the United States to seek asylum. Ansly was released on Friday to live with Benjamin and Hart.
VNPA 