2026 Q2 Photo Essay

Points for Q2 PPAGLA Quarterly Contest 2026

Ted Soqui 410 Points

Keith Birmingham 390 Points

Thomas Cordova 340 Points

Ringo Chiu 320 Points

Cristina Salvador Klenz 290 Points

Terry Pierson 250 Points

Ghawam Kouchaki 200 Points

Mindy Schauer 170 Points

Nancy Newman 140 Points

Jill Connelly 130 Points

Gina Ferazzi 120 Points

Jeff Gritchen 100 Points

Jennifer Maher 100 Points

Paul Rodriguez 80 Points

Chris Torres 80 Points

Mike Goulding 70 Points

Robert Hanashiro 60 Points

Scott Mitchell 60 Points

J.W. Hendricks 50 Points

Libby Cline Birmingham 40 Points

Brandon Richardson 40 Points

Cayo Seals 40 Points

Don Bartletti 30 Points

Scott Harrison 20 Points

Quarter 2 judges: Lacey Atkins, Robert Galbraith, Marcia Prouse

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First Place

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This photo essay documents Free Iran rallies across Los Angeles and California in January 2026, organized in solidarity with protests in Iran amid escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions. A mother and her daughter attend a Freedom for Iran rally at Los Angeles City Hall in Los Angeles, California.

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Protesters release colored smoke in the colors of the Lion and Sun flag during a Freedom for Iran rally in downtown Los Angeles, California. Feb 14, 2026

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An organizer leads protesters through the Second Street Tunnel in downtown Los Angeles during a Freedom for Iran rally in Los Angeles, California. Feb 14, 2026

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Protesters march through South Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles during a Freedom for Iran rally in Los Angeles, California. Feb 14, 2026

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A protester holds a sign in support of Reza Pahlavi while marching during a Freedom for Iran rally in Los Angeles, California. Feb 14, 2026

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A protester waves a large Lion and Sun flag during a Freedom for Iran rally at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine, California. Feb 7, 2026

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Protesters march down Third Street in Santa Monica, California, during a Freedom for Iran rally. Feb 22, 2026

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A protester cries in the arms of another during a Freedom for Iran rally in Santa Monica, California. Feb 22, 2026

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A portrait of MOHAMMAD REZA PAHLAVI is held up at Persian Square in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, during a rally in support of freedom for Iran. Feb 1, 2026

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A large crowd gathers at Persian Square in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, during a rally in support of freedom for Iran. Feb 1, 2026

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Protesters clap and march down Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, during a Freedom for Iran Rally. March 1, 2026

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A protester lights their Islamic Republic passport on fire at the conclusion of a march from Persian Square in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, in support of freedom for Iran. Feb 1, 2026

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Second Place

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after putting on the18th green to win the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.Rory McIlroy throughout the final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament, culminating in his historic victory at Augusta National. I followed McIlroy from the opening holes through the emotional celebration after securing the Green Jacket on the final day to document his historic victory,

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the 14th tee box on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a bunker shot on the seventh green on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the 16th tee box on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off from the 12th tee box on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland arrives at the 10th green on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits out of the rough at the 7th hole on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks to the 15th green on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off from the 18th tee box on the final day of the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after winning the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds the trophy up with his new green jacket after winning the 2026 Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 12 April 2026.

Third Place

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Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.Alejandra Tiscareno checked herself in a mirror before CSUF College of Education’s graduation ceremony at Titan Stadium on Monday, May 18, 2026.

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Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.Alejandra Tiscareno checked herself in a mirror before CSUF College of Education’s graduation ceremony at Titan Stadium on Monday, May 18, 2026.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_03.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_04.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_05.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_06.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_07.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_08.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_09.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_10.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_11.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.Dean R. Strenger Award Recipient, Jonatan Basilio shows off his belt at Santiago Canyon College’s (SCC) 2026 Commencement Ceremony that was held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange.

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Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.Dean R. Strenger Award Recipient, Jonatan Basilio shows off his belt at Santiago Canyon College’s (SCC) 2026 Commencement Ceremony that was held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Fred Kelly Stadium in Orange.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_13.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_14.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_15.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_16.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_17.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_18.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_19.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_20.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_21.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_22.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_23.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

3rd_PHOTOESSAY_Mike Goulding - Freelance_24.jpg

Late May and early June brings graduation season. The season of reflection, rewards and achievement. This is a collection of graduations, high school, community college and college who all share the desire to be better no matter the age.

Honorable Mention

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Catholic Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo (the native language of Nigeria) at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31.Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke blessed Gladys Aninyei 93, after services Sunday.

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpaleke of Ekwulobia celebrated Mass with local Nigerian Catholics in Igbo at St. Eugene Catholic Church on Sunday, May 31. The Mass will be followed by a big reception in the parish parking lot. Cardinal Okpaleke was one of the electors in the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV a year ago. (Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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Lacey Atkins

Marcia Prouse

Meet your judgeS

Lacy is a Pulitzer Prize winner and a two time finalist with over 30 years of experience as a visual storyteller. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and contracts with non-profits such as the Innocence Project and Teach For America. She has been on staff at the San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times and part of the USA TODAY Network, the Tennessean.

Robert Galbraith

Marcia Prouse believes passionately that powerful images can change the world.

She has held photo leadership roles in three newsrooms known for photojournalism excellence — the Detroit Free Press, the Orange County Register and the Tennessean in Nashville — and has edited key national and international visual reporting over several decades. She was part of photo editing teams that edited two Pulitzer Prizes and five finalists; and also won the prestigious Pictures of the Year Angus McDougall editing award. 

Marcia holds a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and produced a photo documentary book, “Arrow Rock: 20th-Century Frontier Town” in lieu of a thesis. She graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in journalism education..

Marcia is "mostly" retired, but currently freelance photo and story edits at Chalkbeat.org; volunteers throughout the Columbus, Ohio, area, and loves spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters.