Enjoy the work of Communications students and the moments they documented during the 2025-26 school year. Using still images to tell a story is a powerful tool and is at the core of the work many journalists do. Students are welcome to make submissions from April 20th until the 26th. Winners will be revealed during a reception on April 29th at 1 p.m. on the third floor of Saint Mary in the Humanities area.

Students who submitted work include:

  • Orlando Perez
  • Lanie Zajecka
  • Ryan Langdon
  • Landon Cox
  • Santea Hollis
  • Shamar Bryant

2025-26 Entrees

PHOTO OF THE YEAR

Protesters stand at the corner of an intersection at the Legends outlet in Kansas City, where they gather to make their voices heard every Saturday.

Photographer: Lanie Zajecka

NEWS PHOTOJOURNALISM

1st Place Winner

A protester holds up his anti-ICE sign during a protest outside of the CoreCivic immigrant detention center in Leavenworth, Kansas, while a local clergy member looks on.

Photographer: Lanie Zajecka

2nd Place Winner

A woman stands alone, wielding the American flag during a protest held outside of the CoreCivic immigrant detention center in Leavenworth, KS.

Photographer: Orlando Perez

3rd Place Winner

USM student Kobe Cunningham practices cutting a fishing line at a local community park in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Photographer: Santea Hollis

USM students gather outside Saint Mary Hall on Monday, March 30th, to commemorate the 14 Stations of the Cross, which acknowledge the passion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Photographer: Ryan Langdon

USM’s Dr. Brian Hughes enlightens students on the work of St. John Henry Newman during his “The Man in the Red Hat” talk in the Walnut Room of USM’s Mead Hall on April 17th.

Photographer: Ryan Langdon

USM students had the opportunity to discuss and learn about financial literacy and success with certified financial professionals in the St. Joseph dining hall on Wednesday, April 15th.

Photographer: Ryan Langdon

A sign placed in protest outside of the recently reopened immigrant detention center in Leavenworth, KS, which reads, “future home of Donald Trump.”

Photographer: Lanie Zajecka

Keiyah Cole getting ready to bowl at USM’s monthly bowling night.

Photographer: Pucci Cox

EJ Dennis showing off his moves on the dance floor at USM’s Spring Fling

Photographer: Pucci Cox

University of Saint Mary students participate in a recreational volleyball tournament

Photographer: Pucci Cox

One sign from an April 2026 protest held outside the CoreCivic immigrant detention facility in Leavenworth, KS, making reference to the detainment of five-year-old Liam Ramos that sparked outrage earlier in the year.

Photographer: Orlando Perez

Protesters gather outside the Leavenworth CoreCivic immigrant detention facility in fight of its reopening, bringing a community together to love their neighbor instead of separating people.

Photographer: Orlando Perez

A community pantry launched by University of Saint Mary professor Lucy McIntyre and her wife, Kat, in Leavenworth, Kansas, who are working with their eight children to help address food insecurity. The effort has expanded to three locations.

Photographer: Shamar Bryant

A food drive donation basket inside Leavenworth Floral in Leavenworth, Kansas, on April 7, 2026. The nonprofit Pins Across Campus is organizing 10 drives over the next five months to address issues facing local residents.

Photographer: Shamar Bryant

Protesters hold signs opposing the reopening of the CoreCivic immigrant detention facility in Leavenworth, Kansas, on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Photographer: Shamar Bryant

USM student Amir Aikins shows off the 5-pound largemouth bass he caught at a Leavenworth, Kansas pond. A local fisherman claims it to be the largest fish ever caught in the pond.

Photographer: Santea Hollis


SPORTS PHOTOJOURNALISM

1st Place Winner

USM junior Evan Maritz celebrates victory after clinching his singles match (6-3, 6-2) on Monday, March 23rd at David Brewer Park.

Photographer: Ryan Langdon

2nd Place Winner

Mary Olson (front) and teammates react from the bench during a women’s basketball game at the University of Saint Mary.

Photographer: Shamar Bryant

3rd Place Winner

Alanis Delgado advances the ball during a women’s basketball game at the University of Saint Mary.

Photographer: Shamar Bryant

USM’s Nils Dueppe returns a serve against Kansas Wesleyan’s Alex Sherer in his 6-1,6-4 victory over KWU.

Photographer: Ryan Langdon

USM’s Carlos Grimaldi triumphs in singles with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over KWU on March 23rd.

Photographer: Ryan Langdon

USM women’s basketball player Summer Wieneke and teammates celebrate between periods.

Photographer: Lanie Zajecka

Quinn Carpenter and Kate Harter cheer on their USM women’s basketball teammates.

Photographer: Lanie Zajecka

Spires women’s basketball player Saige Grampsas and teammates run back to the net.

Photographer: Lanie Zajecka

Jordyn Miller-Knuckles makes her opening height attempt in the high jump at Northwest Missouri State.

Photographer: Pucci Cox

Tristian Rogers preparing for his 60 meter dash at the Bearcat Invite.

Photographer: Pucci Cox

Todd Hicks practicing his new block settings in preparation for the upcoming track meet.

Photographer: Pucci Cox

Eduardo Barjas playing a game of pick-up soccer at a Kansas City high school against a local kid who joined the game to have fun and spread the joy of the game.

Photographer: Orlando Perez

People from around the Kansas City community come together to play soccer on Tuesday night as part of an adult indoor soccer league.

Photographer: Orlando Perez

Jerseys of the Chicago American Giants, one of the most important teams in Black baseball history, on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

Photographer: Orlando Perez

Jaylee Levario (center) and teammates listen as head coach Andy Kelley speaks during a timeout in a women’s basketball game at the University of Saint Mary.

Photographer: Shamar Bryant

USM athlete Jake Skahan participates in rehab to recover from an injury that took place this spring.

Photographer: Santea Hollis

Ottawa University drives down the court in a face-off against the Spires at the University of Saint Mary.

Photographer: Santea Hollis

McPherson College basketball players touch up on their shooting skills during pre-game warmups before facing the University of Saint Mary.

Photographer: Santea Hollis