Kent State University at Tuscarawas student Jason Keller is doing what he loves—telling stories through photographs. Taking pictures since the age of 11, Keller is an award-winning photographer. He was recently honored by the Ohio News Media Association with the Best Feature Photo award. Keller captured the image of a Navy veteran saluting the crowd while riding in a military jeep during a parade in Sugarcreek, Ohio. The photo was judged best out of all entries from weekly newspapers throughout the state for the Osman C. Hooper Weekly Newspaper contest.
“We celebrate Jason and his accomplishments,” said Milo G. Miller, publisher of The Budget in Sugarcreek. “We are thankful that he is a vital part of our team, a role that has increased over the past several years. Having a photo judged as the best in the State of Ohio in the Osman C. Hooper Weekly Newspaper Contest is an honor, and we are ecstatic that Jason’s work has been recognized.”
Keller, a Kent State Tuscarawas student worker studying information technology, said words can’t express what this award means to him.
“I feel humbled to have even been considered for the award, especially considering the fact that, if not for The Budget and the Sugarcreek community, I would not have had the opportunity to take these photos to begin with,” said Keller. “Even more so is the thought that my photography career began when I was 11, with my mom, Bev Keller, handing me a camera and saying, ‘Here, go take some pictures of the workers on the cuckoo clock.’ Osman C. Hooper was a true newspaper man and being honored with an award named after him is humbling.” Keller won an award for this photo of the cuckoo clock as well.
Miller described Keller’s work ethic and commitment to The Budget and the community as unparalleled and much appreciated.
“Having a Kent State Tuscarawas student among our ranks is something we value, as Jason brings a fresh look to situations and ideas that we might not have uncovered before,” said Miller.
The Ohio News Media Association was established in 1933 as the Ohio Newspaper Association which had existed in various forms since the late 1800s. It is a statewide organization that serves newspapers and hosts the annual Osman C. Hooper Newspaper Awards that focus on the best and brightest in the newspaper industry in Ohio. Hooper was a famed newspaper man who died at the age of 83. He was a professor of journalism at Ohio State University and was seen as a pillar of Ohio journalism for over 61 years.
“This award is an inspiration to keep working hard at doing what I love—capturing the moment one still frame at a time,” said Keller.