{"id":6383,"date":"2025-04-22T02:59:43","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T02:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/?p=6383"},"modified":"2025-04-23T14:28:26","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T14:28:26","slug":"2025-what-we-do-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/2025\/04\/22\/2025-what-we-do-results\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 What We Do Results"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 2025 contest entries were judged on April 12 in Gannett Hall. We thank RIT photojournalism program alumni Seth Gitner, Mustafa Hussain, and Paula Ospina for serving as this year’s judges.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Features – A candid or found moment that reflects the human experience.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Joseph Ciembroniewicz<\/strong>

Elias Flores cuts fish at Feria Fluvial, a fish market, in Valdivia, Chile, as a South American sea lion known as \u201cBigoti,\u201d begs for scraps on July 2, 2024. Flores says that the sea lion robs him, so he doesn\u2019t trust him very much.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Mackenzie Stevenson<\/strong>

Julie Paulussen lays on the dock with her two dogs, Shay and Gus, by the Erie Canal at Schoen Place in Pittsford, N.Y., on Sept. 13, 2024. Paulussen comes here almost everyday saying, \u201cIt\u2019s a great way to see people and get some social interaction.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Kara Gildea<\/strong>

Derrell Newkirk, of Las Vegas, Nev., examines a Russian Blue cat named EmeraldBlu Lady Adaline for bone structure and coat quality during the Genesee Cat Fanciers Annual Cat Show at the Dome Arena in Henrietta, N.Y., on March 2, 2025, as another Russian Blue, Tylona’s Blue Enchantress Rose, looks on. The event, featuring more than 150 cats from over 40 breeds, ran through the weekend.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Kara Gildea<\/strong>

Campers taste rhubarb root for the first time during a gardening lesson at the Fresh Air Fund\u2019s Sharpe Reservation on July 7, 2024, in Fishkill, N.Y. Each year, the Fresh Air Fund provides approximately 20,000 children from the New York City area with a free outdoor summer experiences upstate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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News – A photograph from a news event. This could be from a breaking news situation or a scheduled event where advanced planning was possible.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Joseph Ciembroniewicz<\/strong>

Participants in the University of Rochester (UR) Gaza solidarity encampment pray during a peaceful sit-in inside of the UR administrative building, Wallis Hall, on May 1, 2024, in Rochester, N.Y., as peace officers from the UR Dept. of Public Safety look on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Caitlyn Daproza<\/strong>

Firefighters spray water on a vacant building that set off four fire alarms on Canal Street in Rochester, N.Y., on Nov. 18, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Paul Besch-Turner<\/strong>

A group of drummers line up near the Washington Monument at the peoples veto demonstration in Washington, DC, on April 5, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Maryel Pryce<\/strong>

Rochester firefighters act swiftly to put out a four alarm fire in a commercial building on Canal St. in Rochester, N.Y. on Nov. 18, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sports Feature –  Images from a sporting event that highlights subjects outside of primary game action\/competition. Should increase understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports or celebrate the role athletics play in the lives of amateur and\/or professional athletes and fans. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Autumn Bernava<\/strong>

Rachel Larson, center, holds onto her teammates after running her Nationals qualifying time during preliminaries Feb. 28, 2025, at Ithaca College Athletics and Events Center in Ithaca, N.Y.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Autumn Bernava<\/strong>

RIT’s Max Stein points out their school record time to Jack Defeo after the men\u2019s first place 4×400 meter relay competition on March 1, 2025, at Ithaca College Athletics and Events Center in Ithaca, N.Y. This time broke the last record set in 2019 by over two seconds, an achievement that also qualified them for Nationals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Reed Newton<\/strong>

Dana Oliver of the Hot Shots naps on her floor ball stick after a game during floor ball competition at the Golisano Training Center at Nazareth University in Rochester, N.Y., Feb. 22, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Autumn Bernava<\/strong>

Sam Blaskowski of UW-La Crosse and Tristan Wright of Lynchburg look back at their finals qualifying times after crossing the finish line on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Nazareth Golisano Training Center in Rochester, N.Y.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Sophia Buonpane<\/strong>

Alfred State College wrestler Elijah Moshenek celebrates after winning his match at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships at Keiper Recreation Center, in Williamsport, Penn., on March 2, 2025. This win earned Moshenek a spot in the national tournament<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sports Action – Images from a sporting event that captures peak action of individual or team sports. Jubilation, dejection, and reaction photographs should be entered into the sports feature category.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Sophia Buonpane<\/strong>

John Dominianni, member of the Rochester Institute of Technology Barbell Club, deadlifts 628 lbs as the spot and load team screams behind him at East Ave Barbell in Rochester N.Y. on Oct. 26, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Sophia Buonpane<\/strong>

Wrestlers Jonah Paulino, left, and Garrett Totten, right, stare at the clock to determine how much time is left in the period after making a play during the NCAA DIII National Championship at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I., on March 14, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Sophia Buonpane<\/strong>

RIT\u2019s Morgan Richter (18) runs past her opponent as she passes the ball to a teammate at Tiger Stadium in Rochester, N.Y., on April 5, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Autumn Bernava<\/strong>

RIT’s Aidan Sheehan competes in the mens pole vault competition during the Libery League’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 3, 2024 at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Sophia Buonpane<\/strong>

An RIT swimmer takes a breath during a race to the finish line at Judson Hale Aquatics Center in Rochester, N.Y., on Oct. 18, 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Interpretive Eye – An image that showcases the photographer\u2019s vision or unique perspective. These images can be planned, posed, or otherwise set up. Any post-production and\/or digital manipulation must be disclosed in the image caption. Must be grounded in the documentary tradition and offer visual commentary on an issue or idea.<\/strong>
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First Place: Maryel Pryce<\/strong>

An alligator roams a swamp in the Everglades, Fla., on Jan. 9, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Carlos Sanchez<\/strong>

Two people are backlit by the setting sun near the Letchworth State Park picnic area during sunset. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Carlos Sanchez<\/strong>

The shoreline from below the Chimney Bluffs State Park in Wolcott, N.Y.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Carlos Sanchez<\/strong>

Looking down at the shoreline from Chimney Bluffs State Park in Wolcott, N.Y.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Portrait – An image of a person that reveals the essence of their character.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Maggie Canniff<\/strong>

Scaffolding is a piece by fashion designer Chloe Zhou, a design student from New York City. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gavin Rice, one of the forefront producers and musicians of early jazz in the United States poses for portraits at the Eastman School of Music where he is about to graduate. Gavin owns the the second largest collection of early jazz music in the United States, only second to the library of congress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Carlos Sanchez<\/strong>

Lee Seidenberg poses for portrait. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Kate Magsaysay<\/strong>

Wildlife biologist Melissa Moreno is seen under a skylight in one of the many caves where she surveys for the fungus P. Destructans, which is known to cause White-nose syndrome. Melissa has been working with bats since 2019 for Bat Conservation International, and has seen first-hand that their populations are decreasing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Portrait Series –  A maximum of 12 images that reflect a strong sense of identity or narrative. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Jackson Burns Bulmer<\/strong>

The musicians of the Eastman School of Music are an incredibly talented group of individuals. Coming from around the world these musicians write and release their own works in albums, audition for major symphonies and become sponsored by instrument brands from around the globe.
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Second Place: Mikaela Engstrom<\/strong>

With society finally giving women’s sports the attention is deserves, this series celebrates the many different kinds of women in sports that are paving the way for younger generations of girls who deserve to know they are welcome in this community. Women are consistently looked down upon in the sports industry, so I want to uplift and show people that women belong in sports and that they should never feel out of place or less important than anyone else. From athletes and coaches, to creatives, broadcasters and more, “Her Playbook” is a series that celebrates how different women have gotten to where they are and what they hope the future of women’s sports looks like. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Photo Story – A maximum of 12 images compiled in a picture story or essay that reflects the human experience. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Joseph Ciembroniewicz<\/strong>

In some coastal Chilean communities, South American Sea Lions are a common site at fish markets. These creatures are protected, and have become pests to those in the fishing business. They are drawn to the markets by the massive amounts of fish being processed there. This story examines these spaces. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Joseph Ciembroniewicz<\/strong>

After the campaign of mass killing, displacement and infrastructural ruin began in Gaza following the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, an anti-war protest movement swept across the US. Nowhere was this more visible than on college campuses, including at the University of Rochester. The students demands were that UR call for a ceasefire, and divest from financial connections to Israel. As they reached an impasse in negotiations with the school, they began engaging in civil disobedience as a means to bring administration to the negotiating table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Kara Gildea<\/strong>

\u201cMy life is not real anymore,\u201d says Amy Stack, 56, in a moment of utter frustration. \u201cThis isn\u2019t real life. Other people need to see this.\u201d Amy carries the heavy emotional and physical burden of caregiving, a role that often goes unnoticed and is filled with obligation. Caregivers like Amy frequently face significant mental and emotional challenges, with many reporting adverse health effects due to their responsibilities. With nearly 40.4 million Americans providing unpaid care for loved ones, the impact of caregiving is widespread, often leaving family members struggling in silence behind their own closed doors.
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Honorable Mention: Grant Bush-Resko<\/strong>

Aaron Landers is the infamous Sharp Dressed Zamboni Driver. As a lead member of the ice operation team at RIT, Aaron has a lot more responsibilities than just driving a zamboni. With the stress weighing on Aaron, he thought of incorporating the idea of “look good, play good” mentality, which has grown and turned his job into a fun and popular character, helping him with his own work stresses, and providing others with a fun spectacle. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Interpretive Project – A maximum of 12 images that showcase the photographer\u2019s vision or unique perspective. These images can be planned, posed, or otherwise set up. Any post-production and\/or digital manipulation must be disclosed in the image\u2019s captions. Must be grounded in the documentary tradition, this project showcases a body of work that offers visual commentary on an issue or idea.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Delia Giovannucci<\/strong>

This series documens invasive and local species around Mendon Ponds in Rochester, N.Y., using a field study technique. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Second Place: Mackenzie Stevenson<\/strong>

This series uses the VanDyke brown printing process, a 19th-century technique known for its rich sepia tones. Each print was created by coating paper with a light-sensitive solution, exposing it under UV light with a digital negative, and rinsing it with Erie Canal water to embed the landscape\u2019s essence into the image. Captured between 2024 and 2025, these images appear timeless due to the historic nature of the process. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Picture Editing – Research images from the AP and Getty Images wires to illustrate a text story. Submit a final edit of three sequenced images that demonstrate journalistic and creative vision. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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First Place: Mackenzie Stevenson<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Second Place: Autumn Bernava<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Non-Fiction Video – A non-fiction video that reflects the human experience. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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 First Place: Max Conway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ralph \u201cRocky\u201d Perrotta is the voice that pulls you into RIT hockey. He is the current public address announcer for the men’s hockey team. Rocky is a bit of a RIT Hockey legend, liked by fans and administration alike. When he is not announcing men\u2019s hockey games, he does play-by-play broadcasting for RIT women\u2019s hockey, basketball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball. Rocky also serves as the public address announcer for the Rochester Red Wings and Knighthawks, and is also a backup for Buffalo Sabres. Occasionally, he will pick up other gigs, including his granddaughter\u2019s basketball games at Bishop Kearney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Second Place: Mackenzie Stevenson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rockin\u2019 Roz<\/em> is a short documentary about 92-year-old pianist Roslyn Germano of Rochester, N.Y. Legally blind in one eye and with limited vision in the other, Roz doesn’t let that stop her from doing what she loves most\u2014playing the piano. A lifelong musician, she brings joy to others with her weekly performances at Artisan Works and her senior living home. The film is a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the power of music at any age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Third Place: Oliver Butler<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After reading an article about reindeer for hire in 2015, Mike Schaertl decided there was one addition needed to his farm- a herd of his own. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Multimedia Storytelling – A multimedia story or essay that reflects the human experience and may include: videos, photos, text, and audio.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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First Place: Mackenzie Stevenson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Erie Canal approaches the last year of its Bicentennial period, this project highlights important people and places that made the Erie Canal in Western New York what it is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Second Place: Maryel Pryce<\/strong>

Niagara Falls, N.Y., is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the United States, with recent reports indicating almost 9.5 million visitors in 2023. With this tourism comes a significant amount of revenue. According to the New York State – Comissioned Tourism Economics research study, in 2023 visitors spent $1.082 billion in Niagara County. However, there is a solemn reminder of neglect sitting right in the middle of Niagara Falls – Main Street.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Third Place: Kara Gildea<\/strong>

Between Us<\/em>\u00a0is a photo album\u2013style book that uses still photography, archival family images, and journal entries to explore the emotional complexity behind family loyalty, identity, and generational relationships. While families often present only the joyful moments, this project reveals what\u2019s left unsaid or unseen, particularly the cycles of anxiety, self-sacrifice, and resilience passed between women. Through documenting my mother\u2019s relationships, I reflect on my own place within this legacy and question whether I\u2019m bound to repeat it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Honorable Mention: Caitlyn Daproza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Station 4 of the Henrietta Fire District in Henrietta, N.Y., newer firefighter Danielle Cammilleri spends time on shift with her crew members. One of few female firefighters at the district, Cammilleri finds adrenaline and pride living out her childhood dream. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Portfolio – A body of work that showcases the photographer\u2019s vision and demonstrates versatility, expertise, and depth. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Overall Portfolio Prize Mackenzie Stevenson<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gitner Family Prize Sophia Buonpane<\/strong>
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2025 contest entries were judged on April 12 in Gannett Hall. We thank RIT photojournalism program alumni Seth Gitner, Mustafa Hussain, and Paula Ospina for serving as this year’s judges. Features – A candid or found moment… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6489,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[68],"class_list":["post-6383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-what-we-do-2","tag-what-we-do","no-comments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6383"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6566,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6383\/revisions\/6566"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6489"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pj.rit.edu\/nppa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}