My Best of 2013 in Photojournalism

HOBOKEN, N.J., JAN. 21, 2013 — The All Saints Episcopal Day School, Stevens Cooperative School and Mustard Seed School hold the Third Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Inspiration. Here, Kindergartener Anthony (last name withheld) from Stevens Cooperative School attempts to thread a needle with help from a teacher to sew his pillow project. The pillows will be donated to a variety of charitable organizations. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

KEARNY, N.J., JAN. 24, 2013 — Family members and friends place their hands on the casket and over their hearts as they pause to give their final respects to16-year-old murder victim Alishia Colon after the funeral service at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home on Belgrove Drive. The casket was covered in hand-written notes from mourners. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JAN. 28, 2013 — Valjean Walton, dressed up as the Statue of Liberty, stands on the Journal Square Plaza in Jersey City on Jan. 28, 2013, as snow falls, handing out leaflets for a tax company. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JAN. 29, 2013 — Singer/songwriter Kelly Saint Patrick photographed at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JAN. 30, 2013 — Emergency Services Unit Police Officer Emilio Ramos and his red-tailed hawk, Mojo, were special guests during the National Catholic Schools Week assembly at Hudson Catholic Regional High School. The school’s mascot is the hawk. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Students pet and take pictures of Mojo. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., FEB. 1, 2013 — Dr. Mei Mei Cheng applies flouride to the teeth of Morgan Smith, 3, right, as Morgan’s brother, Sakhi Smith, 5, waits for his turn to have his teeth examined during the 11th annual national Give Kids a Smile event where the Jersey City Medical Center along with various dental associations and schools provided free dental care to children 12 years and younger. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., FEB. 7, 2013 — Aftermath of a four-alarm fire on Bayview Avenue. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., FEB. 20, 2013 — Margaret Freeman, a teacher at Snyder High School, receives a standing ovation from other teachers as she is announced as Jersey City’s Teacher of the Year during an awards ceremony at Frank R. Conwell Middle School. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

NORTH BERGEN, N.J., FEB. 26, 2013 — The management and staff of the Paul F. Cullum Tower celebrated the birthday of one of its long-time residents, Helen Foley, who turned 100 on Feb. 24 and who has lived on her own in the senior citizen housing for almost 40 years since June 1, 1973. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., FEB. 27, 2013 — A tractor trailer carrying 150-lb. bags of peanuts overturned on southbound Route 440 near 63rd Street and Rutkowski Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

NORTH BERGEN, N.J., FEB. 28, 2013 — The North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue swore in 30 military veterans as firefighters in a ceremony at Schuetzen Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., MARCH 22, 2013 — The Youth of St. Henry Parish conducts a dress rehearsal of its annual production of the Living Stations of the Cross at St. Henry Church. Here, Jesus (Alan Gleeson) is taken down from the cross and is carried in a procession. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., APRIL 5, 2013 — Daniel Espinoza, 5, of Kearny, visits the Tyrannosaurus rex display during the Field Station: Dinosaurs’ new season opening day. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., APRIL 17, 2013 — A man is arrested after police say he crashed into at least five vehicles, including two patrol cars, during a police chase which ended on Corbin Avenue. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., MAY 14, 2013 — Supporters watch as election results come in at Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s campaign headquarters on Oakland Avenue after polls closed on election night. The incumbent lost to Councilman Steve Fulop by a landslide. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOLMDEL, N.J., MAY 20, 2013 — The sons of graduate Frances J. Perez, of Jersey City, from left to right, Jonathan Diaz, 8, John Diaz, 9, and Salvador Hirujo, 6, accompanied by Perez’s life partner, Evette Moreno, right, and best friend, Adriana Rodriguez, left, cheer her on during the processional at the start of the 122nd Commencement of St. Peter’s University in Jersey City at the PNC Bank Arts Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

UNION CITY, N.J., JUNE 5, 2013 — Kindergartener Eric Aguilera, left, salutes retired four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell who attended a ceremony renaming an elementary school in Powell’s honor. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., JUNE 5, 2013 — The door to the train that will transport the casket of U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg to Washington, D.C., is closed after a brief memorial service at the train station that bears his name. Lautenberg died June 3 of viral pneumonia. He was 89 years old. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. JUNE 26, 2013 — J.W. Cortes, a former Marine and who starred on NBC’s reality TV show “Stars Earn Stripes,” is a finalist as Yankees’ “Tribute to Heroes” representative at the all-star game. He is from Jersey City and is an MTA police officer. He was photographed at Grand Central Terminal. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 15, 2013 — Edwin Melendez and his daughter, Jalissa, 7, sunbathe at the Pershing Field Pool on the first day of a heat wave. Melendez said that they have been at the pool for more than two hours today. “It got cold in the water, so we decided to get some sun,” he said. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 15, 2013 — Santiago Marrero plays golf using holes on the sidewalk of Congress Street where he and his neighbors are trying to stay cool in the shade on the first day of a heat wave. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., JULY 23, 2013 — New York Red Bulls training program coach Sage DoVale distributes soccer balls to the visually-impaired students. Students at the Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind participate in a soccer clinic hosted by the New York Red Bulls Believe program, an outreach initiative for young athletes with special needs. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

UNION CITY, N.J., JULY 24, 2013 — Boxer Juan Rodriguez poses for a photo during training at Global Boxing Gym for his upcoming fight at Schuetzen Park. Rodriguez is undefeated 11-0. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN, N.J., JULY 26, 2013 — Women sell raffle tickets during the 103rd St. Ann’s Feast and Festival procession. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Devotees hear Mass outside the church before the procession. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

People wait for the statue of St. Ann to be brought out of the church for the procession. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

The statue of St. Ann is carried from the church and into the streets. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Spectators watch as the St. Ann procession, led by a band, walks down one of the streets of Hoboken. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

A police officer minds the traffic. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Devotees walk in the procession. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

The statue of St. Ann. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Residents watch the procession from their window. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal

WEST NEW YORK, JULY 31, 2013 — A baby died when a commuter van struck a lamp post on Boulevard East near 56th Sreet which fell on the carriage the baby was in. The baby was later identified as eight-month-old Angelie Paredes of North Bergen. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 8, 2013 — Family friends, Debra Armstrong, her daughter, Natasha, and granddaughter Ryelan Elvin, 2, offer their condolences to Ryan Wynn’s mother, Bobbie, and brother, Kevin. Ryan Wynn was gunned down the day before on Forrest Street, just a few feet away from his mother’s home. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 20, 2013 — PGA Tour golfer and two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton leads the Barclays Youth Clinic on the practice tee at Liberty National attended by young golfers from around New Jersey as well as youth organ recipients. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 21, 2013 — Tiger Woods tees off during the pro-am round of The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Club. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tiger Woods stops briefly on his way to the next tee when requested to have a photo taken with a young boy. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tiger Woods walks on the green as he plays in the pro-am round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tiger Woods wipes the sweat away as he plays during the pro-am round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

With One World Trade Center in the background, Tiger Woods looks over a green during the pro-am of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tiger Woods speaks to reporters after playing in the pro-am round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tiger Woods speaks to reporters after playing in the pro-am round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., AUG. 23, 2013 — Phil Mickelson plays on day two of the first round of The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Club. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Phil Mickelson stretches before teeing off. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Phil Mickelson putts the ball at the 15th hole on day two of the first round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

With the Statue of Liberty in the distance, Billy Horschel, second from left, tee off on day two of the first round of The Barclays, as Bill Haas, left, looks on. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Phil Mickelson stops to chat with spectators. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Phil Mickelson gives fans a thumbs up. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Spectators with their babies watch golfers play in the round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Spectators wait under the shade of a tree for golfers to play through. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tiger Woods stops to chat with a golf marshal on his way to tee off at the first hole on day two of the first round of The Barclays. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

KEARNY, N.J., AUG. 29, 2013 — The Kearny High School football team practices for the new season. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

WEST NEW YORK, N.J., AUG. 30, 2013 — Giovanni Diaz, 7, plays with his sword balloon during the event where 100 children received backpacks filled with school supplies from the Love of Jesus Family Church. Henry Schein Dental sponsored the backpack giveaway event which included food and entertainment. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., SEPT. 3, 2013 — Rob Cordeiro, right, heads the ball during St. Peter’s Prep soccer team practice at Bayonne County Park. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

KEARNY, N.J., SEPT. 10, 2013 — Members of the Jersey City Fire Department hazmat unit go through the decontamination process. First responders from Hudson County municipalities held a full scale emergency preparedness drill at the United States Postal Service Processing & Distribution Center. As part of the exercise, about 250 employees were evacuated and several volunteers went through an actual decontamination process. The scenario involved the discovery of a possible biohazardous substance, such as anthrax, inside the postal facility. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 11, 2013 — The 12th Annual Reflections 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Susan Schwarzwald and her husband, Werner Bargsten, attend the ceremony. A JCFD fireboat sprays water in the Hudson River in view of One World Trade Center. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Rafael and Maritza Martinez attend the 12th Annual Reflections 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. Rafael said that Maritza worked as a payroll coordinator at Cantor Fitzgerald where more than 650 of her co-workers died on 9/11 when One World Trade Center fell. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Joanne Fletcher tapes carnations beside the name of her brother, Andrew La Corte, on the 9/11 monument. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Tonya Festa and her two sons, Jeffery, 4, and Miguel, 2, leave the 9/11 monument after taking pictures and attending the 12th Annual Reflections 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. Festa said her sons dressed up as a policeman and firefighter because “they know who their heroes are.” (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 11, 2013 — The Statue of Liberty is framed by One World Trade Center, left, and the Tribute in Light memorial in Lower Manhattan on the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City, as seen from Jersey City. (Reena Rose Sibayan/Reena Rose Photography)

HOBOKEN, N.J., SEPT. 17, 2013 — Dan Aykroyd hams it up with the skull-shaped Crystal Head Vodka bottle. Aykroyd of ‘Blues Brothers’ and ‘Ghostbusters’ fame visited Boa Hoboken and Biggie’s Clam Bar on Newark Street with his business partner, famed painter, John Alexander, to sign autographs for fans and promote their award-winning, Crystal Head Vodka. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 19, 2013 — Michael Muchioki’s mother, Sandra, left, and Nia Haqq’s mother, Majeeda, right, hold hands in court as the guilty verdict is read in the trial of Shiquan Bellamy, who is accused of killing their children as they came home from their engagement party. With them are Muchioki’s father, Erastus, and sister, Amanda. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., SEPT. 24, 2013 — Guests view works by artist and filmmaker Shoja Azari with painter Shahram Karimi in the exhibition Magic of Light during a press preview of six new exhibitions at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Guests view resistance art from Syria in an exhibition called Syria: A Silenced Scream during a press preview of six new exhibitions at Mana Contemporary. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Guests view resistance art from Syria in an exhibition called Syria: A Silenced Scream during a press preview of six new exhibitions at Mana Contemporary. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Guests view iconic pop art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, which includes Tony Tasset’s Big Eye, center, during a press preview of six new exhibitions at Mana Contemporary. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Guests view iconic pop art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, which includes Indian 2 (Bowman) by Yoram Wolberger, left, and Spotted Jack-Rabbit (Hot Pink Background) by Alison Van Pelt, during a press preview of six new exhibitions at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal

Carole A. Feuerman with one of her hyper-realistic sculptures in the exhibition The Golden Mean during a press preview of six new exhibitions at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

One of Carole A. Feuerman’s hyper-realistic sculptures on display as part of The Golden Mean, one of six new exhibitions Mana Contemporary in Jersey City. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 1, 2013 — Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders was at Liberty Science Center to visit the museum’s new exhibition, Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Golden Door Charter School 7th graders Mimi Balde, left, and Angelina Avila compare their arms and biceps to those of NFL players at Liberty Science Center’s new exhibition, Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Golden Door Charter School 7th graders John King, left, and Geoffrey Origenes look at the Vince Lombardi trophy which is part of Liberty Science Center’s new exhibition, Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN, N.J., OCT. 3, 2013 — Judah Schiller, of Mill Valley, Calif., founder of BayCycle Project, bikes across the Hudson River from the Pier 13 Boating Club in Hoboken to New York River Sports at Pier 66 in Manhattan. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

HOBOKEN, N.J., OCT. 1, 2013 — Gov. Chris Christie shakes hands with the school mascot, Attila the Duck, during his visit to Stevens Institute of Technology. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., OCT. 9, 2013 — Event security fight to keep the surge of squealing Bayonne High School students from toppling over barricades as teen heartthrob Trevor Jackson performs during the High School Nation traveling tour for at the Don Ahern Veterans Stadium. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

A star-struck student is lifted up by the crowd as she clamors for Trevor Jackson who was performing during the High School Nation traveling tour at the Don Ahern Veterans Stadium. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

PARAMUS, N.J., OCT. 10, 2013 — Funeral for Bayonne native and WWII hero, and the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, Nicholas Oresko, 96, at Bergen Community College, followed by a burial at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Funeral for Bayonne native and WWII hero, and the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, Nicholas Oresko, 96, at Bergen Community College, followed by a burial at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Funeral for Bayonne native and WWII hero, and the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, Nicholas Oresko, 96, at Bergen Community College, followed by a burial at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Funeral for Bayonne native and WWII hero, and the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, Nicholas Oresko, 96, at Bergen Community College, followed by a burial at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Chris Carbone kisses the casket of Nicholas Oresko. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Genevieve Doocey, accompanied by her granddaughters Laura Wyton, left, Sheila Mathis, center, and Barbara Robb, touches the casket of her long-time friend and companion, Nicholas Oresko for the last time. Wyton said that Oresko was like an “honorary grandfather to us.” (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 18, 2013 — St. Peter’s University President Eugene Cornacchia, left, is photographed with actor and Golden Door International Film Festival founder Bill Sorvino at the Mac Mahon Student Center. St. Peter’s University is collaborating with Sorvino to launch The Sorvino Film Institute in May 2015. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 21, 2013 — David Gibson, right, and Rich Kiamco make history as they become the first official same-sex couple to be married in Jersey City in a ceremony officiated by Mayor Steve Fulop at 12:01 a.m. at City Hall. Seven other gay couples also participated in the ceremony. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., OCT. 31, 2013 — Women of the Presidential Prayer Partners Breakfast hold a prayer breakfast for elected officials as they have done regularly for the past four years at Al’s Restaurant. This day marks their fourth anniversary. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 1, 2013 — St. Anthony High School’s Herb Johnson (maroon) intercepts a pass intended for Union City High School’s Daiquan Kelly during the football game at the Caven Point Athletic Complex. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 6, 2013 — Hudson Catholic’s Nautica Vega goes up for a block during the first round of the NJSIAA girls volleyball state tournament against Newark Academy at Hudson Catholic High School. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

BAYONNE, N.J., NOV. 12, 2013 — Caylen DeJesus, left, and Melissa Enriquez-Rada sort and fold donated clothing. The Blessed to Bless non-profit organization holds a donation drive for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, collecting and packing in boxes food, clothing and hygienic packs at the 65 W. 15th St. First Filipino Baptist Church. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 14, 2013 — Kwadir Felton, with his attorney Brooke Barnett, reacts to the verdict handed down by the jury. Felton was found guilty of aggravated assault and other offenses after being shot by Sgt. Thomas McVicar on Jan. 10, 2010. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Kwadir Felton’s aunt reacts to his mother, Dawn, collapsing in the courtroom while the verdict was being read. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Overcome with emotion, Kwadir Felton’s mother, Dawn, collapses in the courtroom during the reading of the verdict. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Kwadir Felton is escorted out of the courtroom in handcuffs after he was found guilty of aggravated assault and other offenses. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., NOV. 27, 2013 — Firefighters battle a four-alarm fire on Grove Street. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

SECAUCUS, N.J., NOV. 29, 2013 — Police arrest people protesting unfair wages outside the Walmart in Secaucus after they blocked traffic by sitting in the middle of the street and refusing to stand up, on Black Friday. Among those arrested was Marc Bowers, right, of Lancaster, Texas, who is a former Walmart employee who said he was fired in June for going on strike. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 5, 2013 — A. Harry Moore student Jarius Harris dances with St. Ann’s dietary staff member, Rashonda Holmes. The A. Harry Moore School choir spread holiday cheer to senior citizens at the St. Ann’s nursing home by singing carols and giving out candy canes, cookies and cupcakes. The school caters to students with multiple disabilities. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 10, 2013 — A giant inflatable rat stands outside of the Brennan Courthouse, put there by members of the Police Benevolent Association Union from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office to protest the pay freeze. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 13, 2013 — The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flying demonstration squadron, fly over the Hudson River and in front of One World Trade Center in New York City, as seen from Exchange Place in Jersey City, for a promotional photo shoot. Six of the fighter jets flew in formation while the seventh took the photos. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 20, 2013 — Susan Milan, director of Supportive Housing with Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation, lights candles in memory of homeless people who have passed away, during the interfaith service to commemorate the 5th Annual Hudson County Observance of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day at Old Bergen Church. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 20, 2013 — First graders at Learning Community Charter School pose for a photo with a poster they made for the Philippines Day of Action. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

WEST NEW YORK, N.J., DEC. 20, 2013 — Maria Monteagudo hugs the door of the Solo Nails nail salon that now displays a photo of her daughter, Midalis C. Sanchez-Monteagudo, who was shot to death by her husband at the nail salon where she worked. Her husband took his own life shorty after. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

JERSEY CITY, N.J., DEC. 27, 2013 — Rudy Walker, left, and Ozzie Simmons, center, play on the sangba and the djembe, as Gwen Washington, looks on, at the start of the Kwanzaa celebration hosted by the Urban League of Hudson County. (Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)