ABOVE: Lying next to training-aid dummies, Pvt. Bryan J. Goodin of Company H, 1st Battalion, 145th Armor Regiment, simulates an unconscious victim in a first aid training class on Sunday, June 17, 2007, in Camp Grayling, Mich. / Photo by Diego Robles

By Lindsay Ferguson, lf245706@ohio.edu

ATHENS, Ohio (March 4, 2010)—Diego Robles and Drew Angerer, both seniors in the School of Visual Communication in Scripps at Ohio University, have been named winners in the second round of the Hearst Journalism Awards Program photojournalism competition. Both Robles and Angerer ranked impressively, winning first and third place, respectively. 

Angerer and Robles, who submitted winning photos in the categories of news and sports, will go on to join fellow Ohio University students Ryan Henriksen and Dan Krauss, two of the top four finalists in the first round of the competition, for consideration in the organization’s semi-final judging slated for April. Semi-finals include the top four finalists from each of three quarterly contests and the two overall high scoring entrants from the year’s competition. Six finalists will then be chosen from that round to compete in the program’s National Photojournalism Championship.

“I didn’t really have any expectations going into it,” Angerer said about his placing in the competition. “It’s kind of just icing on the cake to have won.”

Angerer said that he was motivated to enter the competition at the encouragement of both professors and classmates. The fact that there was a prize for himself at stake and matching grant money to be won for the school was just another incentive to submit his work. In finishing third, Angerer won $1000, while Robles won $2000 for his top finish.

Aside from the cash prizes, the contest allowed Robles and Angerer to showcase their photography skills fostered by the School of Visual Communication.

“We’re really excited to enter another national contest where the caliber of students we have is being recognized," said Stan Alost, associate professor and assistant director of the school. “We get some really good students here, and they encourage each other to do well.”

Angerer made similar statements about the photojournalism program.

“The professors are all great and helpful, and so are your peers around you,” he said. “It’s such a small program, and we’re constantly pushing each other to work on projects. It’s just being in that small environment and community where we can all encourage each other.”

Inevitably, such encouragement leads to success. Roble was named both the 2008 and 2009 Student Photographer of the Year by the Ohio News Photographers Association, making him one of only two students who have earned the title twice since its creation in 1999. Placing in the Hearst Journalism Awards is another significant gain for both him and the school.

“It’s fun to see a wide variety of students win,” Alost said in regards to the fact that several OHIO students have done well in the competition at this point. “It’s not always the same person winning everything.”

Perhaps Angerer’s stance on the multiple wins is best expressed by the confidence he has in the photojournalism program’s ability to prepare and encourage its students.

“I think OU definitely has one of the best photojournalism programs in the country. All of us placing kind of speaks to this,” he said. “I think we can hold up against any school.”

To see more of Robles’ work, visit www.roblesphotography.com. To view more of Angerer’s work, visit http://drewangerer.com/splash.