The winning entry for the 2026 Heritage Ohio Preservation Month Photo Contest is….

“Preserving Memory: The Cemetery Blitz” by Ahmed Aly!

Students from the Andrew Jackson Davison (AJD) Club participate in a “Cemetery Blitz” at the historic W. State Street Cemetery in Athens, Ohio. Guided by preservation techniques similar to those used at Arlington National Cemetery, the students carefully clean and restore historic headstones belonging to early Black residents and veterans of the community. The image captures youth actively engaging in historic preservation, cultural education, and community remembrance, demonstrating how preservation keeps local history alive for future generations.

Congratulations, Ahmed!