2017 What We Do

Category: Features

First Place: Traci Westcott

Second Place: Brittainy Newman

Third Place: Annika Servin

Honorable Mention: Brittainy Newman

Honorable Mention: Joseph Ressler

Honorable Mention: Emily Hunt

Category: Sports Features

First Place: Bryan Bennett

Second Place: Meg Oliphant

Third Place: Riley Joslin

Honorable Mention: Michael Owens

Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Dolan

Honorable Mention: Riley Joslin

Category: Sports Action

First Place: Bryan Bennett

Second Place: Michael Owens

Third Place: Bryan Bennett

Category: News

First Place: Bryan Bennett

Second Place: Joseph Ressler

Third Place: Erin Gallagher

Honorable Mention: Meg Oliphant

Category: Portraiture/ Illustration

First Place: Daniel Vasta

Second Place: Traci Westcott

Third Place: Joseph Ressler

Category: Photo Story

First Place: Brittainy Newman

(Boxing Brothers – 1 – Boxing gave Jay’von and Fynest Cummings energy and vitality, despite the obvious harm it caused to others and themselves. Jay’Von Cummings, 10, and Fynest Cummings, 8, are brothers who have attended classes at Future Boxing Club in Rochester, N.Y. since Feb. of 2014. Their father, Larry Cummings, 32, coaches his son’s in their makeshift gym in their basement and cuts their hair before their big matches. Jay’Von and Fynest both look up to each other for help in both school, growing up and boxing. Jay’Von placed second in 2015 at the Silver Gloves and hopes to place first this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 & 4. This year will be Fynest’s first time entering the Silver Gloves.) Fynest Cummings, 8, (left) and Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (right) practice in the ring before the N.Y. State Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament at Wilson Foundation High School begins in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 4, 2016. “His strengths are my weaknesses, we are always learning from one another,” says Jay’Von.

Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (front), and Fynest Cummings, 8, take a water break during their daily morning workout before school begins in their makeshift gym located in the basement of their home on Dec. 1, 2016 in Rochester, N.Y.

Fynest Cummings, 10, (left) and Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (right) relax in their home in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 2016. Both Fynest, Jay’Von and their 12 year-old sister Nevaeha Nelson (not shown) are 2016 Ringside World Boxing National Champions. They proudly display their medals and belts in the living room of their home.

(Boxing Brothers – 4 – Boxing gave JayÕvon and Fynest Cummings energy and vitality, despite the obvious harm it caused to others and themselves. JayÕVon Cummings, 10, and Fynest Cummings, 8, are brothers who have attended classes at Future Boxing Club in Rochester, N.Y. since Feb. of 2014. Their father, Larry Cummings, 32, coaches his son’s in their makeshift gym in their basement and cuts their hair before their big matches. JayÕVon and Fynest both look up to each other for help in both school, growing up and boxing. JayÕVon placed second in 2015 at the Silver Gloves and hopes to place first this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 & 4. This year will be FynestÕs first time entering the Silver Gloves.) Fynest Cummings, 10, (left) and JayÕVon Cummings, 10, (right) relax in their home in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 2016. Both Fynest, JayÕVon and their 12 year-old sister Nevaeha Nelson (not shown) are 2016 Ringside World Boxing National Champions. They proudly display their medals and belts in the living room of their home.

Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (front) and Fynest Cummings, 8, are the first in line to check in for the N.Y. State Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament at Wilson Foundation High School in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 4, 2016. The Silver Gloves tournament is the most prestigious tournament for youth under the age of 17 and culminates with national action in Independence, MO. This will be Jay’Von’s second time competing in the tournament and Fynest’s first.

Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (left) looks over the USA Boxing rules and regulations passbook given to him at the West Area Athletic Education Center in Syracuse, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2016. Jay’Von’s passbook was initially stolen and lost when their family car got broken into a couple weeks prior to the tournament starting.

Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (left) and Fynest Cummings, 8, (center) weigh in at the N.Y. State Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament at Wilson Foundation High School in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 3, 2016. The Silver Gloves tournament is the most prestigious tournament for youth under the age of 17 and culminates with national action in Independence, MO. This wil be Jay’Von’s second time competiting in the tournament and Fynests’ first.

Reuben Miranda, 11 (right), delivers a quick jab to Jay’Von Cummings, 10 (left) at the West Area Athletic and Education Center in Syracuse, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2016. Cummings lost against Miranda 10-9 resulting in disqualification for the next rounds for the remaining year.

Fynest Cummings, 8, (left) and Jay’Von Cummings, 10 (right), watch the remaining matches at the West Area Athletic and Education Center in Syracuse, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2016.

Fynest Cummings, 8 (left), won the bout against Giovanni Perkins, 8 at the West Area Athletic and Education Center in Syracuse, N.Y. on Dec. 10, 2016.

Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (left) reacts to Fynest Cummings, 8, (right) medal after Fynest won this bout at the West Area Athletic and Education Center in Syracuse, N.Y., on Dec.10 2016. Jay’Von lost this bout resulting in disqualification in continuing to the next round for the remaining year.

Fynest Cummings, 8, (left) throws a toy football across the breakfast table to Jay’Von Cummings, 10, (right) at IHOP in Rochester, N.Y. on Dec. 4, 2016. Finest and Jay’Von were celebrating with their family their winnings this weekend from the N.Y. State Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament. When asked if they could play any other sport besides boxing, both responded with basketball or football.

Second Place: Daniel Vasta

(NUNU – 1 – “Ever since he could walk and talk, he acted just like a girl.” said Sarah Schmieder. From an early age, Jo ‘Ziah Smith, nicknamed “Nunu” at birth, has shown signs of having a gender identity that does not match his biological gender. Nunu is now a 6-year-old who identifies as female. Sarah Schmieder, Nunu’s mother, says that he has always behaved in a feminine way. “Mom, I know I’m a girl on the inside” Mrs. Schmieder recites, “but I can’t help that I was born a boy on the outside”. Nunu’s family is unsure of his future, nonetheless, as he grows they plan to support who he is and who he will become. “If he chooses to transition, he has my full support and our family’s support” said Mrs. Schmieder.) Nunu returns to his mother’s home after spending the week with his father, in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 3, 2016. Nunu’s parents are separated and share split custody of him. His father does not allow Nunu to express himself the way he feels most comfortable. During the week Nunu is forced to keep his gender identity secret.

Nunu changes into his preferred female clothing at his home in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 9, 2016. “As soon as he comes home from his father’s house, he goes straight up to his room and puts on his girl clothes” said Sarah Schmieder, Nunu’s mother.

Nunu applies make-up before performing in his family talent show at his home in Batavia N.Y., on Dec. 3, 2016.

Sarah Schmieder, Nunu’s mother, looks at his outfit after he changed into his female clothes for the night at his home in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 3, 2016.

Nunu, right, and his brother Joma, left, are shown in printed portraits displayed on the walls of their home in Batavia, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2016. Nunu convinced his brother Joma to where pink on the day of their family photo shoot said Mrs. Schmieder.

Nunu brushes his brother Joma’s face with blush at their home in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 11, 2016. Nunu’s siblings, two older brother and a younger sister, all accept him for who he is. His brothers often need to defend him during times of bullying. “They don’t judge me about it,” said Nunu, “And I can aways get help about people teasing me.”

Nunu swings at the playground near a family friend’s house in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 3, 2016.

Nunu and his family go grocery shopping at Wall Mart in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 2016.

Nunu at his home in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 11, 2016. “He would slap me for doing stuff like this” said Nunu about his father, “So pretty much we have to keep it secret and lie; say I got a car for Christmas, or I was a Ninja Turtle for Halloween.”

Nunu lays with his mother at their home in Batavia, N.Y., on Dec. 11, 2016. Mrs. Schmieder is fully supportive of Nunu and the gender identity he feels most comfortable in, “If he chooses to transition, he has my full support, and our family’s support” she said.

Nunu, center, is put to bed with his sister and brother at their home in Batavia, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2016.

Third Place: Kaitlyn Dolan

(A Family Affair_1_Giovanni Perkins, eight, and Cory Brooks, twelve, are more like brothers than cousins, and spend as much time together as possible. Two years ago, the boys were put into boxing by Giovanni’s dad, Christopher Perkins, as a way for Giovanni to be active, and for Cory to learn self-defense against bullies. Since then, the boys’ relationship has shifted to be all about boxing; they practice together, they weigh-in together, and they deal with both wins and losses together. No matter what happens in the ring, they always have each other’s support, and are back in the gym the next day.) Giovanni Perkins (left) and Cory Brooks (right) discuss their tournament occurring the next day after checking that they are within their weight class at Rochester Fight Factory. The boys fight in different weight and age classes, but often spar against each other during practice to improve their skills.

Giovanni and Cory share a punching bag during practice. Though the boys compete in different age and weight classes, they always practice together. “They’re more like brothers than cousins,” said Giovanni’s father, Christopher Perkins.

Cory and Christopher leave Rochester Fight Factory. Brooks had to attend practice without his cousin, Giovanni Perkins, because he had a headache and spent the afternoon at his mother’s home.

Christopher critiques and times Giovanni while he practices jabs, hooks, and other punches at the Perkins’ home. Perkins either shadow boxes, runs, or lifts everyday to train for boxing.

Christopher helps Cory tie his shoes, while Coach TJ tucks in Manny Gonzalez’ shirt before the boys warm up for their matches at the Silver Gloves. Brooks lost his match while Gonzalez won.