Life staffer places 16th in national competition
Jonathon Gruenke recently placed 16th nationally in the Hearst Journalism Awards Program Picture Story/Series Photo Competition III.
The Allen Park senior said he was shocked when he heard the competition results Monday.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was in shock,” he said. “I wasn’t even expecting to place in the first competition.”
His photo story, “Cheryl’s Story,” looks into the life of a blind and autistic 12-year-old girl, Cheryl Stahl.
Journalism instructor Kent Miller said the project is unique because of the nature of the situation.
“The story itself was very moving, very deep,” he said. “I think because Jonathon spent so much time with her and her family that he was able to capture very intimate moments.”
Gruenke said he knew Stahl from a previous project and realized how unique she was.
“Even though she’s extremely handicapped, she does not let it get in the way of her life,” he said.
The story details Stahl’s experiences and challenges with her family and peers at school, and Gruenke said he hoped people who saw the story would take away a new perspective.
“Life is hard and it’s really what you make of it,” he said.
Miller has had Gruenke as a student in two classes.
“He works hard on every assignment,” he said. “He obviously is a very trustworthy, kind and gentle person to be able to make photos like these.”
There were 47 entries in the nationwide Hearst Journalism contest.
Miller said news photography is a very competitive field, but he believes Gruenke will do well.
“He’s going to be successful, he’s successful now,” he said.
Gruenke won third place in the College Photographer category in the Michigan Press Photographer Association’s Photographer of the Year contest earlier this year with the same photo story.
