2021 Newspaper Picture Editor of the Year: Individual (Less than 100,000 circulation)

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight a portion of the many area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.


Mark created over 323 portraits iover three weeks traveling 2000 miles to 7 counties and 78 schools to highlight the strangest senior year. The project opened on a Sunday with a double truck and followed with five more consecutive days. Every portrait was featured online.

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight some area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight some area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight some area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.

Mark created over 323 portraits iover two weeks traveling 2000 miles to 7 counties and 78 schools to highlight the strangest senior year. The project opened on a Sunday with a double truck and followed with five more consecutive days. Every portrait was featured online.

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Buffalo News photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight some area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.

Mark created over 323 portraits iover two weeks traveling 2000 miles to 7 counties and 78 schools to highlight the strangest senior year. The project opened on a Sunday with a double truck and followed with five more consecutive days. Every portrait was featured online.

For the class of 2020, graduating into the coronavirus pandemic meant no proms, no senior nights, no formal graduations, no spring sports, none of the usual senior celebrations. Buffalo News photographer Mark Mulville traveled over 2,000 miles throughout Western New York to 78 schools to highlight some area seniors. They showed up with smiles, tractors, athletic equipment, musical instruments, fire gear, traditional dress, college shirts and hope for a bright future. Please join us in saluting the senior class of 2020.

Mark created over 323 portraits iover two weeks traveling 2000 miles to 7 counties and 78 schools to highlight the strangest senior year. The project opened on a Sunday with a double truck and followed with five more consecutive days. Every portrait was featured online.

Meet Toni, a 7-month-old baby sea lion.She is the new darling at the Buffalo Zoo. She was out swimming on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020.

Two law enforcement officers were injured Monday night when an SUV with two people who had been shot drove through a line of police near the Northeast District police station. This was after a day and night of peaceful protests that had turned chaotic and violent.

Hundreds came to downtown Buffalo on Saturday to protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police last week. But as the sun set things began to spiral out of control, with protesters confronting police, setting fires and damaging businesses. Official declared a state of emergency and enforced a curfew blaming the trouble on outside agitators.

To those who have never been here, Buffalo is our sports teams, or our weather, or maybe even our food. Those of us who call Buffalo home know it’s something else: our people. But it’s much more than the famous people whose names and faces you recognize. That’s what Portraits of Western New York will celebrate, as each week we introduce you to someone who calls this region home. You might not think you know any of them. But if you are from Buffalo, you will know all of them.

Catherine Ward has lived in Buffalo all her life. She was named after her mother, but when she was only 2 weeks old, her father nicknamed her Candie to minimize the confusion of having two people in the house with the same name. “I have always loved living in Western New York because I grew up surrounded by family. I had two sisters, one brother, 50 first cousins and 25-plus aunts and uncles,” Ward says. Family gatherings were always filled with fun. “I can't ever imagine moving away as I know I would miss my family and friends so much.” “From a young age I knew I loved art and wanted to teach it ... and I ended up working as an art teacher for almost 40 years.” Fifteen years ago, her husband, who works at trimming and removing trees, encouraged her to use her artistic skills to help him chainsaw carve. “I was reluctant at first and scared of the saw," she said, "but eventually I got the hang of it and fell in love with this new medium.” Ward now carves one or two days a week. The rest of the week she uses to stain, paint and seal the carvings. She opened a small business, “Living Logs,” when the demand for her art grew. “Now that I'm retired from teaching art, I enjoy having an outlet to create,” said Ward, who credits carving with helping her stay in shape while letting her creativity emerge. “I like to say that sawdust is my glitter!”

Mercedes Wilson is no stranger to the camera. She's the host of her own talk show: "The Mercedes Wilson Show" on WBBZ. Born in Medina, raised in Lockport and a resident of Tonawanda, Wilson is proud of her Western New York roots. "Not only does Western New York have incredibly talented people, but we have people that give," she said. "Western New York is full of leaders that realize that it is not all about them. It simply takes one phone call or post about a need and people come the rescue of those in need." She credits people like that with her career. "The whole reason that I am in television is because John Di Sciullo (WBBZ TV) saw something in me that no one else had up to that point," she said. "... When I had the idea of starting a television show that would touch the world, Western New York stepped up and said 'Let's do this!' " Wilson also pointed to Western New York as a great place to raise a family. "I love being close to friends and family, always having something to do, great food and the joy all of this brings to my family," she said. "Being a wife and mom of four children is a heavy load, and my children love having things to do in Western New York."

Bruce Howard spent three years working as a grave digger in Port Jefferson on Long Island while attending community college. After he completed his associate degree, he transferred to SUNY Geneseo. "I met and became close friends with a lot of people from the Buffalo area," he said. While attending Geneseo, Howard — who loves snow — says he fell in love with Western New York and its weather. "After school, I knew I didn't want to go back downstate." He was looking for a place that was affordable, where he knew people and where he could pursue his interests. "Buffalo was a great fit." Howard became friends with Bobby Finan of Tommyrotter Distillery, who helped him pursue a technical career at the distillery. "The people I have met here exemplify Buffalo's slogan. It really is the 'City of Good Neighbors.' "

Even if you've never heard of Joey Todaro, if you live in Buffalo, you've probably heard of his family's business: La Nova Wings. He's the fourth generation of the Todaro family to work there. "I grew up knowing that I, my siblings and cousins would all join the family business because of our love and passion for pizza and wings and rich family history," Todaro said. Todaro, who grew up in North Buffalo and was the first in his family to graduate from college, traces his roots in the industry right to childhood. "My parents used to take me out to eat at a very young age and the different food cultures gave me a more explorative and imaginative food appreciation." He joined La Nova right after earning a degree in food service management from Johnson and Wales University. "Days change all the time," he said. "I travel from trade show or sales conferences to creating pizza and chicken wing masterpieces at the pizzerias, or La Nova’s state-of-the-art R&D kitchen." "I’m a diehard Bills and Sabres fan, so you know I have patience for the ever changing food scene!"

Brett Swenson, who attends Clarence High School, is a member of the bowling and unified basketball teams there. He said he also loves to play lacrosse with his friends. Swenson’s dad Chris is the announcer at Buffalo Bandits games, and Brett has been a ball boy for the team since 2009. Brett said he loves to read about the history of the City of Buffalo, especially the former Memorial Auditorium. “I was born and raised in Buffalo,” Brett said. “I’m loyal to Western New York and love all there is to do … I also love sports and Buffalo has great teams like the Bandits, Bills and Sabres!”

"Of all the places I have traveled," said Paul Billoni, "Buffalo is the most generous place I have ever been. Our community always steps up to help people in need." He should know. Billoni, who lives in Kenmore with his wife, Cyndee, owns and operates Colvin Cleaners and Colvin Draperies. "Nothing makes me prouder than to be involved in our 'Gowns for Prom' and 'Coats for Kids' programs. We truly are the City of Good Neighbors," he said. "I’m so proud to say I’m from Buffalo and Western New York." Billoni was born here and raised his family here. In addition to the generosity he sees in the population, he points to Western New York's natural attractions: the beautiful summers, colorful autumns and closeness to Canada. "We’re not going anywhere," he said. "We love it here."

Meet the Hardys: There’s Jasmine, the mom; Robert, the dad; big sister, Briyana; James, her little brother; and baby Janelle, who is 2, the family has had to adjust to remote instruction amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which they knew from the start would be a challenge.

Briyana is a sophomore at South Park High School. She's more of a hands-on learner who gets extra support while in school, so sitting in front of a laptop at home for much of the day just doesn’t work for her. Her mother does her best to help, but most of the attention is devoted to James.

James is a first grader at Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction. He has autism, is in a special needs class and still wakes at the crack of dawn hoping the school bus will stop to pick him up.

Hardy has experience as a teacher's aide, but it’s different when teaching your own kids while trying to juggle life. Her husband, Robert, 52, has been out of work since a car accident in June. She has baby Janelle to tend to. Hardy wanted to take some online classes herself, but has put those plans on hold.
Quite frankly, Hardy said, remote learning has taken the “fun out of the family.”

Meet the Hardys: There’s Jasmine, the mom; Robert, the dad; big sister, Briyana; James, her little brother; and baby Janelle, who is 2, the family has had to adjust to remote instruction amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which they knew from the start would be a challenge.

Briyana is a sophomore at South Park High School. She's more of a hands-on learner who gets extra support while in school, so sitting in front of a laptop at home for much of the day just doesn’t work for her. Her mother does her best to help, but most of the attention is devoted to James.

James is a first grader at Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction. He has autism, is in a special needs class and still wakes at the crack of dawn hoping the school bus will stop to pick him up.

Hardy has experience as a teacher's aide, but it’s different when teaching your own kids while trying to juggle life. Her husband, Robert, 52, has been out of work since a car accident in June. She has baby Janelle to tend to. Hardy wanted to take some online classes herself, but has put those plans on hold.
Quite frankly, Hardy said, remote learning has taken the “fun out of the family.”

It didn’t take long into the new school year for the remote-learning experience to begin to wear on the Hardys.

Since being away from the classroom, Briyana’s grades had dropped. Midway through the first quarter, the sophomore at South Park High School was failing every class but math.

James, a first-grader, has autism and is in a special-needs class at Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction. He has little interest in sitting still for remote instruction and on his bad days it can throw him into fits. His mother has grown weary of battling with him.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say I am losing my mind at home with my kids and this remote learning,” their mother, Jasmine, deadpanned.

Volunteer ornithologists with the Buffalo Audubon Society take part in an ongoing study that monitors breeding birds across North America. Several volunteers spent the morning at Beaver Meadow banding birds. They do this seven times during the breeding season, capturing between 20 and 30 birds each time.

Volunteer ornithologists with the Buffalo Audubon Society take part in an ongoing study that monitors breeding birds across North America. Several volunteers spent the morning at Beaver Meadow banding birds. They do this seven times during the breeding season, capturing between 20 and 30 birds each time.

Bills score a go-ahead touch down in final minute, but leave just enough time for the Cardinals to score with a Hail Mary TD pass.

As Covid-19 cases continue to grow in Buffalo Niagara, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said last week, "projections still show that our peak is a number of weeks out." A Catholic Health official is estimating the peak to arrive between April 22 and 24. The News takes a look at the men and women on the front lines and what local hospitals have done to prepare for a possible surge in the number of patients.They are men and women working on the front lines against Covid-19 in area hospitals. Their faces are red, bandaged, masked, serious, tired, smiling and hopeful.