Smoke engulfs Paul Batz while he “hot fits” a horseshoe at Shooting Star Farm in Livonia, NY, on October 20, 2013. The hot steel does not hurt the horse during the process, in fact, when done properly, the horse cannot even feel it.
Deborah Solomon performs a spoken-word prayer called “Prayer Changes Things” at Gospelfest: The Musical on January 31, 2014. “If it had not been for The Lord on my side, I don’t know where I would’ve been. You have to trust God and have faith and belief enough to know that your life can change,” Solomon comments.
In Cuba, the population relies on government-issued ration cards to receive food. Rations are usually just enough, if not less, than families are able to survive on. Havana, Cuba. March 27, 2014. Havana, Cuba. March 27, 2014.
Adwen Lorkovich (CQ,) five, is consoled by her mother after her five siblings left for school in Mayfield Heights, OH, on November 24, 2013. Out of the six children, Adwen is the only one who shares both parents biologically.
In the middle of teaching a lesson on December 5, 2013, Zakaria L. [last name withheld], 11, embraces Rebecca Zacherl (CQ.) According to Pearson, an international education company, teachers who add value to the classroom experience are crucial for student success, both academically and socially.
Twice a day, trucks drive through Trinidad, Cuba, and spray large quantities of insecticides into the streets. The procedure, which is intended to combat mosquito-born illnesses, results in a thick, bitter-tasting atmosphere that can linger for upwards of an hour.
Dan Bielaski, one of the owners of Shooting Star Farm in Lovinia, NY, cradles a horse’s head during a visit with the farrier on October 20, 2013. Farriers are called in to help maintain the health of horses’ feet.
A woman waits in the back of a taxi in Trinidad, Cuba, on March 24, 2014.
Rebecca Zacherl (CQ,) 30, is a sixth-grade teacher at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy, a K-6 school within the Rochester City School District─ the poorest district in New York State. Zacherl grew up in the district and views teaching as one way of giving back to the community that raised her.
Following a 13-hour day of competitive cheerleading, Adwen Lorkovich (CQ,) five, sits in the windowsill of her family’s hotel room in Buffalo, NY. Adwen and two of her older siblings have been cheerleading for one year.
Over the last few decades, cheerleading has evolved from its traditional, stereotypical pom-pom roots. Competitive, or ÒAll-Star,Ó cheerleading is a rapidly growing sport in the United States, with upwards of 4 million annual competitors.
Attending a cheerleading event is a sensory overloadÑthe music, the makeup, and the dance moves all correlate with what is trending in popular American culture. Using competitive cheer as a platform, I am exploring the positive and negative effects of popular culture on self-image, particularly in youth.)
Kassie Holfeltz (CQ,) left, 10, stretches among her teammates prior to competing in American Majestic, a National qualifying competition for varsity cheerleaders held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, NY, on March 1, 2014.
Girls competing at the youth level, ages 11 and younger, wait for their turn on stage at American Majestic, a national qualifying competition in Buffalo, NY, on March 1, 2014.
Alita Vargas (CQ,) 10, of Rochester, NY, sits in the bathroom prior to competing in American Majestic, a National qualifying competition for varsity cheerleaders. “I love everything to do with [cheering,]” she says. Alita has been competing for two years.
Bobby Haller stretches prior to competing in American Majestic, a National qualifying competition for varsity cheerleading held in Buffalo, NY. He is one of four boys on the squad.
Lillian Thompson, 15, a sophomore at Canisteo-Greenwood High School in Canisteo, NY, is looked over by her coach after accidentally being kicked in the face during warm-up for the Section V Cheerleading Winter Sectionals hosted at Rochester Institute of Technology on February 8, 2014.
At American Majestic, a National qualifying competition in Buffalo, NY, many young girls have dolls custom-made to match their cheerleading colors, sometimes going as far as to make them look like their twins.
Lilly, right, 14, a first-year cheerleader, watches the competition on a jumbotron at American Majestic, a National qualifying competition for varsity cheerleaders held in Buffalo, NY, on March 1, 2014.
The Rebels cheerleading squad looks on as their competition takes to the mat at the Section V Cheerleading Winter Sectionals, held at Rochester Institute of Technology on February 8, 2014.
Storm Athletics, a gym out of Hinsdale, NY, competes at American Majestic, a National qualifying competition for varsity cheerleaders in Buffalo, NY.
Jennifer Holfeltz, 40, rests following a 13-hour day of varsity cheerleading in Buffalo, NY, on March 1, 2014. Three of her daughters cheer competitively. “They eat, breathe, and sleep this,” she commented.
A young girl waits to continue walking with a group of attendees of Coney Island’s annual Mermaid parade hosted on June 22, 2013, Brooklyn, NY.
Felicity Holbrow hula practices hula hooping on September 14, 2013, Rochester, NY.
Hannah, 20, checks her phone while her girlfriend, Courtney, 20, looks out the window when they wake up in the morning. Courtney and Hannah’s relationship have been both affirming to one another, but Hannah’s turbulent lifestyle leaves Courtney drained sometimes.
Mike Totedo watches his children spin plates at the Creative Movement and juggling exhibit, at Imagine RIT on May 4, 2013, Henrietta, NY. Imagine RIT is an annual festival hosted by RIT which celebrates innovation and creativity.
Zachary Potter and Brenda Bingham kiss in the shower on May 21, 2013, their last day in Rochester, NY, before returning home from school.
Model Abby Kraai (cq) stretches before the opening of the Peppermint: Sewn Seeds/ Debut Runway Show show, a fashion show hosted at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Vignelli Center promoting emerging Rochester fashion designers. Abby usually does yoga when she is nervous or tense.
A man dances on the floor during a video made for the “Harlem Shake” song at Rochester Institute of Technology Anime clubs annual convention, Tora-Con hosted on March, 23, 2013 in Henrietta, NY.
Anthony Fine and Michael Lawlor hold each other in bed after a night of arguing. July 21, 2013. Brooklyn, NY.
Hannah tries to open a bottle of alcohol for friends at party. People sometimes associated Hannah with drinking, a reputation developed from her partying.
Hannah examines a bag of marijuana at a gathering with friends. Hannah often questioned her use of substances for personal enjoyment or fulfillment.
At party Hannah has a coughing fit. Hannah says she realizes how her self abuses from drinking and bulimia, affects her body physically and she struggles maintain her physical health.
Hannah struggles to focus in class. Because of her turbulent lifestyle with partying, her education work is affected, and she will miss classes or be too tired to focus at school.
Hannah is reflected in the mirror at home as she gets ready for a party. Hannah can spend hours getting ready to go out because of her need to look perfect. “I’d rather stay inside than go out ugly,” Hannah says.
Hannah takes four different kinds of anti-depressants and medications, to maintain her emotional stability. Hannah has been on medication since she was in fourth grade, and while they have helped her through her depression she also wishes to know herself without it.
Hannah sits in her bathroom floor feeling overwhelmed before class. Sometimes she puts sickies on her wall to remind herself of what she needs to do. For Hannah, many of normal daily tasks are extraneous.
Hannah is held by her girlfriend, Courtney, after a rough night from a party. Hannah says her and Courtney weren’t dating when she was at her worst, but she was there when she was at her worst.
Hannah and Courtney get ready to take a shower together. Hannah has a hard time in letting people in but she feels Courtney is one of the only people who she can trust and be intimate with.
Hannah holds on to Courtney as they watch friends sing at a birthday party. With Courtney around, Hannah feels she is able to be more social in a healthy way and feel more reason to leave the house.
Hannah and Courtney laugh as they, joke around in the bathroom. Since being in a relationship, Hannah sees more things worth laughing and living for. Courtney provides a source of hope for Hannah.
Hannah and Courtney embrace each in bed. Their relationship provides stability in each other, and although Hannah has a long way to go in her search for acceptance in herself, Hannah sees people are worth staying alive for.
Posted: April 12, 2014 by joshmeltzer
Portfolio Category – 2014 What We Do
Congratulations to Niki Walker for winning the Gitner Family Award for Photojournalism and to Evan Ortiz for winning The Nikon Award Portfolio
Gitner Family Award for Photojournalism
Niki Walker’s winning portfolio:
nikiwalkerphotography.com
The Nikon Award Portfolio
Evan Ortiz’s winning portfolio:
www.evanmatthewortiz.com
Sponsored By
Gitner Family
SPAS
Category: What We Do Tags: gitner family, nikon, Photojournalism, pj, portfolio, RIT, rit nppa, what we do, winners