Kyle Green

Best of the Year 2011

Eight year old Malasia Witcher holds a candle during a prayer at a candlelight vigil that was held for Shirley Hodges, 64, of Rocky Mount, on the three-week anniversary of her disappearance. Hodges’ husband died, apparently by suicide, in a Texas motel the day Hodges’ daughter reported her missing. Investigators have said they suspect foul play.
   
David Wilson, running back, Virginia Tech football team. Wilson ran for 1,709 yards in his first year as the Hokies’ featured tailback, topping Ryan Williams’ single-season school mark of 1,655 set in 2009. He became the third Virginia Tech player to win ACC Player of the Year honors, joining former quarterbacks Bryan Randall and Tyrod Taylor.
   
Grassfield High School runner Peyton Holm (335) lays exhausted on the ground at the conclusion of the girls AAA division at the 2011 VHSL State Cross Country Championship in The Plains, Virginia on Saturday.
     
  
Single mom Stephanie Martin hands a plate of bread through a broken screen to Harrison Wright, age 8, son of Stephanie's friend Katie Clifton during a family night dinner at Katie's house. Divorced mom Katie Clifton formed a support group with two other single moms, Stephanie Martin and Lauren Askew. The group gets together weekly to have a shared family dinner.
   
13 year old Clovis Semurara, who attends Lucy Addison Middle School, leans over a chair for a different perspective of the artwork at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia. Clovis is on of 22 middle school students who are participating in a 1st year summer art camp program put on my Roanoke City Schools and the Taubman Museum of Art.
   
10 year old Curtis Howell pauses for a breath of air while competing in a tomato eating/drinking contest in the TomatOlympics competition held at the Fourth Annual EastMont Tomato Festival in Shawsville, Virginia. Howell was the first competitor to finish, but was disqualified by the judges for excessive spillage.
     
  
72 year old Bobby Dunford looks at the damage to his neighbors house after a tornado last night in Pulaski. Bobby, whose house was damaged as well, was able to help save is neighbor, Sara Edwards with the help of another neighbor. "It was worse than a train. The sky was yellow and green. I was standing at the front door with my wife, and I told Sara (who was on her porch) to get inside. I threw my wife on the floor and here it came. It just lasted about 10 seconds. Me and a neighbor kicked in the back door of Sara's house. She was in her bedroom, thank god, it was the only room in the house that the roof stayed on. Its a miracle." Bobby said. Severe damage to homes was reported in the Pulaski and Draper areas of Pulaski County after a tornado earlier Friday evening, local officials and the National Weather Service said.
  
Lucy Addison Middle School students look at part of the "I Have a Memory of a Dream, 2011-1963" artwork by Kay Rosen at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia. The students are part of 22 middle school students who are participating in a 1st year summer art camp program put on my Roanoke City Schools and the Taubman Museum of Art.
   
6 year old Zihire LeVar Penn (front), and brother, 7 year old Jamie LeVar Penn hold balloons with messages to their father, who was slain 6 years ago on Thomas Avenue in SW Roanoke, Virginia. Jamie LeVar Penn was shot an killed in 2005 and is murder is still unsolved. The family held a vigil at the site of his death on Tuesday evening.
     
  
Against the backdrop of a white retaining wall, Salem High School player Mic Edwards (right, 2) hauls in a 32 yard reception over Pulaski High School player Brandon Brock (left, 28), during the game at Salem Stadium on Friday night.
   
As seen through the rainy window of the pedestrian overpass, A lone runner makes way down Norfolk Ave. S.E. during the 2011 Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, Virginia.
   
Kazim Shrine Circus employee Lluvia Heiple puts the final touches on her hair before she enters the three ring circus. The Kazim Shrine Circus performs at the Roanoke Civic Center from February 3rd until February 6th.
     
  
Bethany Cook cries (second from left, red jacket) as her father, Edward Deitch, 64, a 1/2 marathon participant, is tended to by paramedics after he collapsed near the finish line of the 2011 Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, Virginia. Edward suffered a massive heart attack, but survived and is recovering in a local hospital.
   
Taylor Wolfe (left), and Nichole Pettway (right), from Augusta County, Virginia dance with a confederate flag in the back of a pickup in the parking lot of Salem Stadium before the Zac Brown Band Concert on Wednesday night.
   
Tom Caceci, dressed as Santa Claus, waits to be photographed with pets during the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech's annual pet portraits with Santa. The pet photos are a fundraiser for the college's Omega Tau Sigma service fraternity, a veterinary student organization that provides a variety of community services.
     
  
Lowell Boothe, 83, sits with his dogs, Molly (front), and Scout (back) on his 150 acre property in Floyd, Virginia. Boothe, a Floyd, Virginia native and resident, is a general proponent of wind energy. A wind energy company has asked to lease land Boothe owns on Wills Ridge for a wind farm that could be built in 7-12 years. Mr. Boothe said he will consider it. Wind farm companies are looking increasingly to place turbines on Southwest Virginia ridge and mountain tops. Poor Mountain in Roanoke County and various spots in Floyd, Pulaski and Botetourt counties are being eyed right now.
   
Somali Bantu refugees AbdiKadir Ali, 40 (center), pushes a tiller as Ibrahim Mohamed, 13 (right), looks on at a garden plot on the grounds of the Catawba Sustainability Center in Catawba, Virginia. The Somali Bantu were originally subsistence farmers in Somalia when the civil war there broke out and they had to flee to Kenya, and the 5 or 6 or so Somali Bantu currently involved in the gardening project at the center have not gardened literally since the war broke out. The gardening is giving them a piece of their culture back and making them healthier too, mentally and physically. The goal is for them to sell their wares (flowers, vegetables) eventually at markets and become business people.
  
Transgender Hollins University student, Jace Hanner poses in a field near the University. Most transgender students at Hollins University praise the acceptance they have received from students, professors, and administrators there. What they can't abide is a written policy at the women's institution, in Roanoke, Va., that calls for the expulsion of students who legally change their names with the intention of living as men.
     
  
Shannon Ariessohn laughs as she falls off a dog ride at a park near Hollins University. Shannon is dating transgendered Hollins University student, Jace Hanner (off camera). Most transgender students at Hollins University praise the acceptance they have received from students, professors, and administrators there. What they can't abide is a written policy at the women's institution, in Roanoke, Va., that calls for the expulsion of students who legally change their names with the intention of living as men.
   
Alisha Terry from Patrick Henry High School splashes down in the sand after a jump of 12' 5" at the Western Valley District track meet held at William Fleming High School on Thursday.
   
Staunton River High School player Calen Weaver(middle, 13) goes head over heels while completing a throw in during the VHSL girls semi-final soccer game against Lord Botetourt held at Northside High School. Staunton River defeated Lord Botetourt 3-2 on penalty kicks.
     
  
Amanda Carruba, 18, of Kinsport, TN, dressed as a Medieval Renaissance Elf at the Mysticon Science Fiction Convention in Roanoke, Virginia.
   
York High School player, Robert Winer (#7) hits his head against the outfield wall after the last out of his teams loss to Northside High School during the 2011 VHSL Group AA boys baseball semifinal at Calfee Park in Pulaski, Virginia. Northside defeated York 6-4.
   
Northside High School player Gino Saunders (middle, 76) composes himself after the game against Brookeville High School at Northside High School on Friday. Brookville defeated Northside 21-7.
     
  
University of Virginia football player Michael Rocco (right, 16) dives for a first down against N.C. State player Dwayne Maddox (left, 41) during the game at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday. N.C. State defeated UVA 28-14.
   
Radford High School boys basketball player Dontae Carter (middle, 14) celebrates a late dunk by teammate Jerome Alexander (off camera), during the Group A Division 2 Boys final game at the 2011 VHSL basketball championships held at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia. Radford defeated James River 66-63.
   
Hidden Valley High School fans react after Taylor Walker (not pictured) hit a three pointer to tie the game with 20 seconds left against Potomac Falls High School during the Group AA Division 4 Boys final game at the 2011 VHSL basketball championships held at the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia. Potomac Falls defeated Hidden Valley 58-55.
     
  
Ocean Lakes High School runner Audrey Batzel (687), is helped to her feet after she collapsed in exhaustion in the girls AAA division at the 2011 VHSL State Cross Country Championship in The Plains, Virginia on Saturday.
   
Clutching a teddy bear, Bessie Hodge, age 97 smiles as she listens to Bob "Grandpa" Miller (off camera), age 100, play harmonica at the North Roanoke Assisted Living center on Williamson Road.
  
     
  
A member of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia douses a cross with kerosene before one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
Members of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia raise a cross soaked in kerosene before one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
Chris Barker (middle), and his wife receive plaques honoring their service to the KKK before a cross burning with the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
     
  
A member of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia waits to make a speech to attendees of one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
A member of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia smokes a cigarette before one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
Rebel Brigade KKK member Rudy Williamson wears a hat that says "It's a white thing. You wouldn't understand" before a cross burning in Martinsville, Virginia The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
     
  
Land owners Rudy and Edna Williamson raise their hands and shout "White Power" during a Rebel Brigade KKK meeting and cross burning in Martinsville, Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
Chris Barker (left) with the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia lights a torch on fire before one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
A member of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia lights torches before one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
     
  
Members of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia raise their hands and chant during one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
Torches of members of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia light a cross during one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
   
Members of the Rebel Brigade KKK group in Martinsville, Virginia raise their hands a shout "White Power" during one of six cross burnings held on rural land in southwest Virginia. The KKK is making a comeback in the USA helped by high unemployment and a growing distrust in the government.
     
  
   
Walter Hayden, age 85, looks over the devastation outside of his house in Glade Spring, Virginia after a EF-3 tornado tore through the town on Wednesday night. Walter was injured during the tornado, and spent time in the hospital, but wanted to come back to see his house and try to find his wallet, which was in his shirt pocket. "It sounded just like a freight train popping off", said Walter, "I have never seen anything like this in my life". Walter also lost a small machine repair shop in the back of his house. "I made a pretty good life for myself here. What a shame", said Walter.
   
The blood of Walter Hayden, age 85, covers a box in his house in Glade Spring, Virginia after a EF-3 tornado tore through the town on Wednesday night. Walter was injured during the tornado, and spent time in the hospital, but wanted to come back to see his house and try to find his wallet, which was in his shirt pocket. "It sounded just like a freight train popping off", said Walter, "I have never seen anything like this in my life". Walter also lost a small machine repair shop in the back of his house. "I made a pretty good life for myself here. What a shame", said Walter.
     
  
Hope Cannon (left) holds her daughter, Kourtne (cq, age 16) Cannon at the Petrol 72 truck stop in Glade Spring, Virginia after a EF-3 tornado tore through the town on Wednesday night. Hope, originally from Roanoke, Virginia, now living in Glade Spring, is the wife of a trucker, and wanted to come to the truck stop to see if they could help.
   
8 year old Cody Pruitt plays among the rubble in Glade Spring, Virginia after ae EF-3 tornado tore through the town on Wednesday night.
  
Linda Hayden Eastridge, finds hers father, 85 year old Walter Hayden's shirt hanging in a tree in his backyard. Walter Hayden survived a EF-3 tornado hitting his house in Glade Spring, Virginia on Wednesday night. Walter was injured during the tornado, and spent time in the hospital, but wanted to come back to see his house.
     
  
Larry Hayden is pictured in the broken side view mirror of his father, Walter Hayden, age 85, in Glade Spring, Virginia
   
Brian Yarder looks through the remains of his destroyed rented home in Glade Spring, Virginia that was destroyed by a EF-3 tornado on Wednesday night. Brian and his family escaped unharmed from the tornado.
   
Pennington Gap firefighter Chris Collins (middle), pulls a jack russell terrier out of the wreckage of a destroyed mobile home in Glade Spring, Virginia with the help of fellow firefighters Brandon Woodard (left, Pennington Gap fire department) and Chris Sturgill (right, Coeburn fire department). The dog was thirsty, but otherwise unharmed from the tornado that destroyed the mobile home he lived in on Wednesday night. Jerry Cox (second from left), also helped in the dogs extraction.
     
  
A Polaroid of a birthday party lays on the ground outside of a group of destroyed mobile homes after and EF-3 tornado ripped through the town of Glade Spring, Virginia.
   
Adam Barton covers his eyes as he starts to cry while telling Governor Bob McDonnell (right) about the night he and his girlfriend Vanessa Galvin (left) spent in their now destroyed mobile home during the tornado that ripped through Glade Spring, Virginia. "We don't have anywhere to live. We don't have any jobs. We don't have anything", said Adam. Mcdonnell told the pair that he had talked to President Obama, and federal, state, and local aid was on its way.
   
An American flag lays across rubble of a mobile home grouping that was destroyed by the Wednesday night EF-3 tornado in Glade Spring Virginia. A resident of the mobile home grouping, Barbara Keesee, was killed during the tornado.
     
  
Lois Cox looks over the remains of her son Willie Boardwine's mobile home that was destroyed during the EF-3 tornado in Glade Spring Virginia on Wednesday night. Willie survived with a collapsed lung and multiple broken ribs and is currently in the Bristol, TN hospital recovering. Fellow resident of the mobile home grouping, Barbara Keesee, was killed during the tornado.
   
  
John Sylvester-Johnson takes a nap in his room at The Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia. John had part of his skull removed after suffering a traumatic brain injury two days after Christmas.
     
  
Joy Sylvester-Johnson gives her husband, John Sylvester-Johnson a kiss after reading to him from The Book of Common Prayer during breakfast. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care at The Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas, on the couples 35th wedding anniversary.
   
Joy Sylvester-Johnson helps her husband take a phone call from a well wishing friend. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care at The Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas, on the couples 35th wedding anniversary.
   
Joy Sylvester-Johnson catches up on her work at the Roanoke Rescue Mission while her husband, John Sylvester-Johnson takes a nap. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care at The Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas, on the couples 35th wedding anniversary.
     
  
Joy Sylvester-Johnson swims laps at 6am in the pool area of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Joy is staying in a residents area of the hospital while her husband John Sylvester-Johnson receives care for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas, on the couples 35th wedding anniversary. "The water supports you in many different ways" said Joy. "To take care of John, I need to be healthy emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It is like when you are on an airplane and they tell you to put on your air mask first.". Swimming first thing in the morning has become a routine for Joy, who has lived at the hospitals residence center for the last 30 days.
   
Joy Sylvester-Johnson (left, back) watches as her husband, John Sylvester-Johnson is prepared by physical therapist Katie Weaver for his morning physical therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
  
Joy Sylvester-Johnson (right) watches as her husband, John Sylvester-Johnsonis is assisted by physical therapist Katie Weaver (left), and program tech Christie Rice (middle) as he takes his first steps since December 27th during his morning physical therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas.
     
  
Joy Sylvester-Johnson (right) comforts her husband, John Sylvester-Johnson along with physical therapist Katie Weaver (middle), after he collapsed in exhaustion after taking his first steps in 37 days during his morning physical therapy at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas.
   
Joy Sylvester-Johnson holds hands with her husband, John Sylvester-Johnson as they read from The Book of Common Prayer before he goes to sleep for the night. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care at The Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas, on the couples 35th wedding anniversary.
   
Joy Sylvester-Johnson gives her husband, John Sylvester-Johnson a final kiss on the forehead before he goes to sleep for the night. John, who is the Director Ministry at the Roanoke Rescue Mission is receiving care at The Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia for a traumatic brain injury he sustained two days after Christmas, on the couples 35th wedding anniversary. "I see kindness in his eyes. We just have to give John time. This experience has changed us (family) in a positive way, and when he gets better, I get to fall in love with him all over again.", said Joy. John died on Easter from complications of the fall and brain injury.