2023 Feature Picture Story
First Place: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
This series chronicles daily life in war-torn Ukraine as the people of the country try to remain some type of normalcy during the war. A group of recent high school grads leap as they pose for photos to celebrate their graduation in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 3, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A boy rides his bicycle past a "I Love Bucha" sign in Bucha, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
An elderly woman walks out of her apartment destroyed in Russian missile attacks in Odesa, Ukraine, Sunday, July 23, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A woman takes a nap on the lap of her husband on a bench at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, July 30, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
People swim in lake near Druzhbivka in Zhytomyr region in Ukraine, Friday, July 21, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A couple share a laugh in a subway car in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A vendor carries bundles of flowers in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 10, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A girl smiles while waiting for her cotton candy in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A cemetery is lit by the evening sunlight near Lviv, Ukraine, Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A girl looks at the phots of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the county's war against Russia, at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Newlyweds Nikita Timkov, 25, and his bride, Tamika Timkova, 23, dance to music playing in the street while waiting for their driver in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
First Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
A dove painted by artist TvBoy adorns the wall of a building damaged by Russian shelling attacks in Irpin, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023.
Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
Second Place: Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
On Saturday nights, behind some of your favorite DC restaurants, roving groups of dog owners set their posse of pooches loose on urban rodents. Washington, DC - July 22 : Members of the rat hunting group of pet dogs, named the RATscallions, hunt in celebration of 5 years since their groups creation through a NorthWest neighborhood on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - July 22 : Patrons look on as members of the rat hunting group of pet dogs, named the RATscallions, hunt in celebration of 5 years since their groups creation through a NorthWest neighborhood on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - June 24 : Pebbles and others grab a rat hidden under a trash can as Bomani Mtume, 60, and his dog Bartholomew (Barto) catch a rat as they lead a rat hunting group of dogs through the Chinatown neighborhood on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - July 22 : Members of the rat hunting group of pet dogs, named the RATscallions, hunt in celebration of 5 years since their groups creation through a NorthWest neighborhood on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - July 29 : Marshall Feinberg and dog Henry kill a rat with a hunting group of dogs in the Adams Morgan neighborhood on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - June 24 : Bomani Mtume, 60, and his dog Bartholomew (Barto) lead a rat hunting group of dogs through the Chinatown neighborhood on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - June 24 : Star and Pebbles tear apart a rat they caught behind a dumpster as Bomani Mtume, 60, and his dog Bartholomew (Barto) lead a rat hunting group of dogs through the Chinatown neighborhood on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - July 29 : Dog Henry bleeds after killing a rat with a hunting group of dogs in the Adams Morgan neighborhood on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - June 24 : Bomani Mtume, 60, holds up a dead rat as he and his dog Bartholomew (Barto) lead a rat hunting group of dogs through the Chinatown neighborhood on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - July 29 : A rat mural is seen as Bomani Mtume, 60, and his dog Bartholomew (Barto) lead a rat hunting group of dogs through the Adams Morgan neighborhood on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - June 24 : Dickie catches a rat as Bomani Mtume, 60, and his dog Bartholomew (Barto) lead a rat hunting group of dogs through the Chinatown neighborhood on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Second Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Washington, DC - July 22 : Dead rats are piled up and shaped into the number 5 after leading a rat hunting group of pet dogs, named the RATscallions, to celebrate 5 years since their groups creation through a NorthWest neighborhood on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Washington, DC.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Third Place: Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Sgt. Misha Varvarych, 28, an 80th Assault Brigade commander and his fianc Ira Botvynska, 19, awake to a new day at Truskavets City Hospital in western Ukraine on November 12, 2022. They navigate an altered destiny after he lost both legs fighting during the Russian invasion amid a growing number of war wounded amputees. Their unflinching romance speaks not of life interrupted but rather adapted and embraced. In an age-old adage, love transcends adversity. At a tender age, Ira was forced to mature quickly. She plays footsie with his prosthetic leg and stands by her man, even when he cant. I was in love with his legs, especially his tattoos, says Ira wistfully. They said: Face your fear. Accept your war. In a country with a shattered economy, its a challenge for hospitals, also under attack and understaffed, to provide adequate care. Misha displays not an ounce of self-pity. His ammunition is humor. When asked his weight and height he quips, With or without legs? He faces a new profound battle - to walk again. But freed from the confines of a wheelchair they swim together fluidly as one body. For all intents and purposes, they feel married after a mutual decision to spend their lives together rather than a proposal. Its a good thing, jokes Misha. I cant get down on one knee now. Conversation turns serious when Putins name comes up. Misha, the warrior, talks with benevolence. His demure bride says she wants to murder the Russian leader. He will receive state-of-the-art prosthetics in the US. God has plans for me, states Misha confidently. I need bionic legs to be able to lift my child off the ground in the future.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Mishas prosthetic legs await his new profound battle - to walk again. He and Ira begin the daily routine at the hospital where they live in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 11, 2022. I was in love with his legs especially his tattoos, says Ira wistfully. The tattoos above his knees once said: Face your fear. Accept your war. On May 29 Misha was on patrol during a combat mission when the lethal blast of an anti-personnel mine savagely ripped apart both his legs. The grueling evacuation took over four hours and one of his comrades died. He was resuscitated three times. Russians shot at the road the entire trek. The tourniquets that saved him from bleeding out, also starved his legs which were amputated at the hospital. With assistance from a fundraiser by Revived Soldiers Ukraine nonprofit, they plan travel to the U.S. where he will receive state-of-the-art bionic legs.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Ira carries Mishas legs to rehab at their hospital in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 11, 2022. At a tender age, Ira was forced to mature quickly, offering unconditional love and support to her man. In an age-old adage, love indeed transcends adversity. He lost track of the number of surgeries he has had 18? Maybe 19. As cartilage keeps growing, so will that amount. But Misha treats the amputation as an ordinary disease that can be cured and is temporary. In a country with a shattered economy, it is a challenge for Ukrainian hospitals, also under attack and understaffed, to provide adequate care for the increasing demand. There is no concise count of amputees, but the surge is growing daily.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Shrapnel pierced the contents of Mishas pockets when the anti-personnel mine exploded and Ira shows his ID card with an eerie hole where his eye should be that they keep in a drawer in their room at a hospital in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 30, 2022. It took both his legs and a fellow soldier, but Misha misses the excitement the life & death adrenaline of war. He felt a purpose fighting for his country. He embodies a common refrain with most soldiers - given the choice he would return to fight. Even if he had at least one leg or a knee he insists he would definitely go back. Ira, on the other hand exclaims, No, no, no, no! I already told him I would break his arms (since he has no more legs to break) to not let him go again.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
An avid bodybuilder, Misha still works out every day at the hospital in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 9, 2022. He displays not an ounce of self-pity or self-consciousness. His ammunition is humor (at times the self-deprecating dark kind popular with military). When asked his weight and height he quips, With or without legs? He still proudly shows off his physique. We should be happy and live with ourselves and not care about anyone elses opinion. But some amputees risk falling into depression and issues of emotional trauma are also addressed at the city hospital. His jokes are nonstop, but not so funny was the chilling premonition he had last year that the war started: soldiers in his battalion died in shelling and he lost his legs. Yet he has no regrets and would do it again even knowing the dire outcome.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Nurse Diana Prysiazhna and Ira assist Misha with rehab in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 11, 2022. They explain how most couples would get on each others nerves while living in such a small space for over 6 months, 24/7. You should see us fight. Like cats and dogs, laughs Misha. Then Ira clarifies, I love everything about him but sometimes I want to choke him. When she is visibly angry and distant some days, he has learned to grovel as a good spouse does. And she forgives. Ira accepts a daily routine that is so very different than they first imagined. He wanted to be a gym coach, she a manicurist. Im used to it. It is what it is, she says. With support you can go through any hell. She never for a moment doubted her commitment. Her love is unconditional, but she explains it is also hard for her. When you are a caregiver, you also need the words of cheering.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Ira plays footsie with Mishas prosthetic leg during rehab in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 14, 2022. They transverse obstacles and navigate a new terrain in this altered reality while still savoring joy with playful affectionate abandon. She wipes his brow, endures his relentless passion for jokes and endlessly kisses his lips. She stands by her man, even when he cant.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Misha and Ira take part in therapeutic swimming activites with other wounded warriors in a growing legion of amputees at Sanatorium Carpathians, a pool in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 27, 2022. Conversation turns serious when Putins name comes up. Misha, the warrior, talks with benevolence. His demure bride says she wants to murder the Russian leader.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Misha and Ira embrace during a therapeutic swimming activity at Moldova pool in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 16, 2022. Freed from the confines of a wheelchair, they swim together fluidly as one body. Their unflinching romance speaks not of life interrupted but rather adapted and embraced. At their first meeting in person, his jaw was wired shut after being involved in a fight in Odesa. If she can accept me with all my scars then she will accept me in every way. A prophesy that proved accurate. Their first kiss? Marvelous. Even though he had two seams holding his mouth together. Is she proud of him? Yes What do they like to do? Sex Future plans: Build a house to live. Make children. Maybe work with others that lost limbs. They are grateful for every moment they spend together. He made it back from the frontline to her arms. With no legs, but alive.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Misha plays volleyball with other wounded warriors at a local gym in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 10, 2022. Misha and Ira are not merely existing, they are living their lives. They attend volleyball games, weekend mountain trips and dinners made more romantic as they tenderly feed each other by the candlelight necessary during blackouts from recent shelling. Misha believes Russian citizens are lost sheep. They sit home drinking vodka and listening to propaganda on TV and think Russia is best and all others are evil. They live in a barrel of shit but believe its a better barrel.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
With a little help from his friends Misha is carried downstairs in his wheelchair from a fundraiser event in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 12, 2022.
Carol Guzy
Third Place - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Misha and Ira go for strolls during frequent blackouts from Russian shelling across the country in Truskavets, Ukraine on November 29, 2022. Their daily life before war? Ira is nostalgic for their promenades in Rivne. Now walks consist of her pushing a wheelchair and occasionally resting on his lap. They didnt drink or go to nightclubs before, preferring quiet moments. They never danced together. But Misha chuckles, saying they never really got out of bed. They feel the war changed them in some ways for the better with new priorities and a realization that the only thing that matters is human life. For now, they kiss and cuddle and hold onto hope. In sickness and in health God has plans for me, states Misha confidently. I need bionic legs to be able to lift my child off the ground in the future.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention: Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Failure to Thrive A decade ago, carrying the guilt and grief of her mothers death, Tiffany Moore returned to Sedalia, Missouri her birthplace to set down roots and reconnect with family. Moore, now a 33-year-old single mother, recently gave birth to premature twins. She relies on her father, Noble Moore Sr., and her friends to get her through each day, especially as she cares for one of her twins who has medical complications that require 90-minute treks to Kansas City for treatment. Through good times and bad, her communitys unwavering support gives her the strength and hope she needs to build a better life for her children. I would never say this is easy, but I manage. I have no choice [but] to do it, Moore said. I cant force their dad to be around. I dont have the ability to. They may not have the Buckingham Palace, but they have everything they need. And they are happy. The only way I would feel wrong is if they werent happy. Tiffany Moore, 33, holds her son Raydin Bowens, 11 months, as her father Noble Moore Sr. chases Aydin Bowens, 11 months, on Sept. 25, 2023, at Tiffanys home in Sedalia, Mo. After she gave birth to her twins, Tiffany had to spend weeks at time with doctors in Kansas City, Mo., as they cared for Raydin, who was diagnosed with failure to thrive. While she was away from Sedalia, her father stepped in to live with and care for Aydin.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
From left, Tiffany Moore, 33, watches as her son Aydin Bowens, 11 months, plays with her father, Noble Moore Sr., as they wait to see a doctor for Aydins ear infection on Sept. 27, 2023, at Bothwell TLC Pediatrics in Sedalia, Mo. Moore gave birth to her twins prematurely, and their medical needs often require them to travel an hour and a half to Kansas City, Mo.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, discuses whats for dinner with her children on Sept. 27, 2023, at her home in Sedalia, Mo. My mom always made us a four-course meal, so I always try to do the same for my kids, Moore said.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, who recently gave birth to twins, injects medicine for reflux into her 11-month-old son Raydin Bowens feeding tube on Sept. 27, 2023, at her home in Sedalia, Mo. It makes me sad because I want them to be on the same stage, but he is always behind because of all of his issues, Moore said. I am a doctor twice a day. Here comes Doctor Mommy!
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, naps on the couch, which she uses as her bed, as her son Raydin Bowens, 11 months, sleeps next to her on Sept. 27, 2023, at her home in Sedalia, Mo. More is the mother of two 11-month-old twins. Its a constant ongoing battle, Moore said. I cant even shower because as soon as they are both asleep I need to get my sleep.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Moments after being woken up from a nap, Tiffany Moore, 33, watches an exterminator search for bed bugs in the couch where she sleeps at her public housing apartment in Sedalia, Mo. on Sept. 27, 2023. After Moore didnt answer a knock at her door, a maintenance worker keyed into her apartment to let the exterminator inside. The new management has been good at getting the drug dealers out of the building, but I have been saving for a long time to get a house, Moore said. I dont want my kids to think this is normal.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, cries at her mothers grave on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Sedalia, Mo. I always bring her $1.15 because thats how much her favorite fountain drink cost, Moore said. She held this family together, and everyone started disappearing when she left. She was the strongest of the bunch.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, collects herself after visiting her mothers grave on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Sedalia, Mo. When the pressures of motherhood become too much and Moore needs time to herself, she will borrow a friends car to run errands or simply drive around town.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, board an elevator with her son Raydin Bowens, 11 months, in a stroller, hoping he will nap on Sept. 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Moore had to wait almost a full year for doctors to perform a swallow study, as well as a battery of gastrointestinal exams, on her son. I try and walk when I am here, Moore said. There really isnt much for me to do other than walk and eat.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, plays with her 11-month-old son Raydin Bowens on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, Mo. Moore and her son are in Kansas City for a swallow study and various other tests she has been waiting almost a year for. I dont like to hang around the Ronald McDonald house, Moore said. If I am around there too much, people start wanting to be in your business. They start asking all these questions, and I have told his story so many times its old.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, walks through a skywalk pushing her son Raydin Bowens, 11 months, in a stroller, hoping he will nap on Sept. 28, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Moore had to wait almost a full year for doctors to perform a swallow study, as well as a battery of gastrointestinal exams, on her son. I try and walk when I am here, Moore said. There really isnt much for me to do other than walk and eat.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Tiffany Moore, 33, at right, naps with her 11-month-old son Raydin Bowens on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, Mo. Moore and her son are in Kansas City for a swallow study and various other tests she has been waiting almost a year for. I dont like to hang around the Ronald McDonald house, Moore said. If I am around there too much, people start wanting to be in your business. They start asking all these questions, and I have told his story so many times its old.
Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post
Honorable Mention: Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
CleShai Perry, 18 was at the backyard playground of her building in the Shaw neighborhood and caught in the crossfire of a barrage of bullets by multiple gunmen that cut her life short, with bullet holes on cars evident nearby in Washington DC on September 5, 2023. Mikeya Ferguson, 19 also perished and her 15-year-old cousin was seriously injured. Her father has called for the National Guard to be deployed to stem the rash of violence in the city. Too often it is young people doing the shooting - and doing the dying. In record numbers. Historically underserved communities and racial inequities contribute to a culture of gun violence with a disproportionate number of African Americans dead or incarcerated. According to the Gun Violence Archive, to date the total number of deaths by guns is 33, 886. Teens killed 1,130 and 3,166 injured. Homicides in the nations capital surpassed 200 recently, up 35% from last year. As policy-makers debate gun control especially concerning assault weapons the body count increases with innocents caught in the crossfire.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Chiquita Perry holds a vigil for her daughter CleShai Perry, 18 on a street near the backyard playground of her building where she was killed in Washington, DC on September 8, 2023. She loved pink and her family and friends showered her vigil and services in pastel and vivid hues of her favorite color, dressing in pink finery with elaborate decorations. From the funeral program: Shai was very outgoing and strong-minded, just like her mother, whom she adored. Her mother was her role model, twin, and best friend. As Shai grew older, the more she resembled her mother and adopted her style, so much so that she would get in trouble for wearing her mothers clothes and shoes.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Cody-Kash Perry 13 years old, brother of CleShai Perry, wears sneakers honoring his sister during her funeral services at Temple of Praise in Washington DC on September 8, 2023. She loved pink and her family embraced her favorite color for her goodbye.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Loved ones release dozens of pink balloons at a vigil for CleShai Perry, 18 years old in Washington DC on September 8, 2023. She was at the backyard playground of her building when a hail of bullets cut her life short.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Chance Jones, 8 years old weeps during the funeral of his cousin CleShai Perry at Temple of Praise in Washington DC on September 22, 2023. She had a particular fondness for her six young cousins. Children in pink bowties mourned. Kids grow up seeing police tape, shell casing markers, bodies in caskets and bereaved mothers wailing at funerals.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
CleShai Perry, 18 years old looked like a beautiful angel in the casket, wrapped in a sophisticated pink suit during her funeral at the Temple of Praise in Washington DC on September 22, 2023. She was caught in the crossfire when a hail of bullets cut her life short. Another young person lies with mortal stillness in a coffin. Their hopes and dreams stolen by escalating gun violence. She loved helping people and wanted to pursue a career in nursing. From her funeral program: Shai had exquisite taste and took pride in her appearance. She loved fashion and jewelry, especially make-up, hair, and nails. She was the life of the party, had a one-of-a-kind smile She will always be remembered for her strong personality, charismatic ways, beautiful smile, plumped glossy lips and ready to go attitude.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Church nurses pray and weep during the funeral of CleShai Perry, 18 years old at Temple of Praise in Washington DC on September 22, 2023.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Pallbearers were mostly female friends and sisters bedecked in pink finery at the funeral of CleShai Perry, 18 years old, at Temple of Praise in Washington DC on September 22, 2023.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Family and friends attend the burial of CleShai Perry, 18 years old at Epiphany Cemetery in Forestville, MD on September 22, 2023. A sea of pink clothes and flowers surrounded her gravesite farewell.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Loved ones attend the repast of CleShai Perry, 18 years old at Epiphany Cemetery in Forestville, MD on September 22, 2023. There has emerged a subculture for final farewells. Rituals include RIP T-shirts, lantern releases, elaborate decorations, and a life-size cutout of the departed where loved ones pose for selfies. Other bereaved mothers chat about their own losses and show cellphone images of coffin portraits, their last memory. Seems everywhere there is someone who knows someone affected by gun violence. Funerals are filled with tears and echoes of mourning. But the repast is also a time for a passionate celebration of life.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Lashon Perry places flowers at the recently dug grave of her granddaughter CleShai Perry, 18 years old at Epiphany Cemetery in Forestville, MD on September 22, 2023. She talks to her, saying she will be back to see her soon. From the funeral program: Shai, you broke my heart, baby; a limb has fallen from our family tree I will love you forever, Grandma.
Carol Guzy
Honorable Mention - 2023 Feature Picture Story
Chiquita Perry, mother of CleShai Perry, collapsed on a couch from the emotional exhaustion of saying farewell after the funeral services for her daughter in Washington DC on September 22, 2023. Most relatives and friends returned to the home of Lashon Perry, her grandmother. Her words from the funeral program: CleShai, you left me broken-hearted, not knowing what to do, but day by day, I find comfort in memories of you. Your glamourous light will forever shine from the heavens above. Now, youre my precious Angel in heaven, just as you were on earth Until we meet again, Mommy. Sadly, soon there will be another body in a pool of blood, another vigil, another mothers tears, as she cries My baby, my baby
Carol Guzy