A maximum of 12 images compiled in a picture story or essay that reflects the human experience.
First Place: Sophia Buonpane
17 Pill Bottles – 17 pill bottles once lined the countertop of former U.S. Marine RJ Sirianni. During his service in Iraq, an IED detonated beneath his unit’s vehicle, and Sirianni was the only survivor. After returning home, he struggled with traumatic brain injury, chronic migraines, and severe PTSD, eventually turning to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. While undergoing treatment through the VA, he was stabilized in the psych ward and placed on 17 different medications, though over time those prescriptions were gradually reduced until he fully discontinued them in 2021. Today, Sirianni manages his PTSD through plant medicines, nature-based healing, and daily practices like gardening and exercise, while sharing his journey to show others that meaningful, long-term healing is possible.
RJ harvests his garden for the winter and collects the last remaining vegetables on the plants on Oct. 10 2025, at his home in Rochester N.Y. “My garden is like my mental help, every year I tackle another part of it. Im never going to be finishing my mental health journey because there will always be things to work on. Similarly with my garden, every year there will be something I want to work on, like the new bed for next year.”While harvesting his garden for winter, RJ rips out a stem of a pepper plant on Oct. 10 2025, at his home in Rochester N.Y. No matter what he’s doing outside, Sirianni never wears shoes. He wants to be able to feel the Earth beneath him, and feel its energy.A bountiful spread of freshly picked vegetables sit on a towel next to some yoga blocks on Oct. 10 2025, at 145 Grecian Parkway in Rochester N.Y. With the food harvested from his garden, Rj makes food not only for himself, but for co-workers, friends, and the people in his life he cares for the most.RJ, left, and teaching assistant Charmaine Williams help unload a tub of food to be given to the Freddie Thomas Middle School and the Wilson Manga High school on Nov. 22 2025, at Joint Heirs Community Outreach, in Rochester N.Y. Sirianni works as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Center for Community Alternatives, a recovery community for individuals navigating addiction, mental health challenges, homelessness, and reentry from the prison system. On Thursdays, he help distribute food instead of being at the office. Sirianni says, “Its the most beautiful thing.”Old photos from RJ’s time in the marines are places on his counter on Dec. 10, 2025, at his home in Rochester N.Y. All of these photos were taken in Iraq. “For a war zone, it was quite beautiful at times. We took over this one house that sat on the Euphrates River. So every day I got to see sunrises on Sunset right on the river.RJ reaches his arms out and closes his eyes during group yoga on Oct. 2 2025, at Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing in Rochester N.Y. Sirianni goes to yoga every Thursday night and helps him ground and center himself, but it also helps with recover from hard hockey practices.RJ always wears his braclet even while working to distribute food to members of the community on Nov. 22 2025, at Joint Heirs Community Outreach, in Rochester N.Y. “Keep going.” It’s one of the many mottos Sirianni lives by, carried with him everywhere he goes. The bracelet on his wrist isn’t just an accessory, it’s a daily reminder to push, endure, and move forward no matter what the day brings.RJ looks out at the edge of a clif to take in the view on Oct. 13 2025, at Letchworth State Park in Letchworth N.Y. Going hiking, especially when the leafs change colors is something Sirianni does every year. He finds beauty in the nature around him, one of the many tools he uses to continue his recovery journey. “I have been waiting to see this view for two years now. For the past two years, I’ve come down in hopes of seeing all of the leaves, changing color, but either I’m too early or too late. This year it was just right.”
Posted: April 29, 2026 by Hannah Murphy
2026 Photo Story First Place
A maximum of 12 images compiled in a picture story or essay that reflects the human experience.
First Place: Sophia Buonpane
17 Pill Bottles – 17 pill bottles once lined the countertop of former U.S. Marine RJ Sirianni. During his service in Iraq, an IED detonated beneath his unit’s vehicle, and Sirianni was the only survivor. After returning home, he struggled with traumatic brain injury, chronic migraines, and severe PTSD, eventually turning to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms. While undergoing treatment through the VA, he was stabilized in the psych ward and placed on 17 different medications, though over time those prescriptions were gradually reduced until he fully discontinued them in 2021. Today, Sirianni manages his PTSD through plant medicines, nature-based healing, and daily practices like gardening and exercise, while sharing his journey to show others that meaningful, long-term healing is possible.
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