Lindemann wins 2025 Perry Photojournalism Challenge

Aisha Ibrahim holds up her phone to take a selfie with a group of fellow Sudanese women and children in an apartment.

Courtesy | Marissa Lindemann

In this photo from Marissa Lindemann's essay "Sister Get-Together," Aisha Ibrahim holds up her phone to take a selfie with a group of Sudanese women and children Feb. 22 in her Lincoln apartment. The women have found a sense of community in the group, which was formed after many of them met while visiting a friend after she had a baby in 2021. In Sudanese culture, 40 days after a woman has given birth, the women of the community visit to celebrate.

Marissa Lindemann, a third-year broadcasting major from Nevada, Iowa, won the top prize in the 2025 Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge for her essay “Sister Get-Together: Community for a Refugee Family from Sudan.” Lindemann will receive a $6,000 scholarship to complete her studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Second place was awarded to Maddy Wells, a senior advertising and public relations, and broadcasting major from Lincoln, for her essay “Signs of Community.” Wells will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Third place went to Leah Bryan, a junior journalism major from Lincoln, for her essay “BockFest: Brewing Tradition.” Bryan will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The finalists in the 2025 Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge were (from left): Ruth Bailey (fifth place), Jazlynn Sanders (fourth), Leah Bryan (third), Maddy Wells (second) and Marissa Lindemann (first). They stand on a stage, holding certificates and glass awards, with a screen that reads "Perry Photo Challenge 2025" in the background. — The finalists in the 2025 Philip Perry Photojournalism Challenge were (from left): Ruth Bailey (fifth place), Jazlynn Sanders (fourth), Leah Bryan (third), Maddy Wells (second) and Marissa Lindemann (first).

Fourth place was awarded to Jazlynn Sanders, a senior advertising and public relations, and sports media and communication major from Council Bluffs, Iowa, for her essay “An Inside Look at the Heart of Gateway Vista: The Final Community.” Fifth place went to Ruth Bailey, a senior journalism and political science major from Dallas, Texas, for her essay “Just Feed One: Community in Congregation.” Sanders and Bailey will each receive a $500 scholarship.

The annual competition challenges students to shoot and compose a photo essay of up to 10 images in 24 hours at a location of their choosing. This year’s theme was “Exploring Community.” Submissions were due at 10 a.m. Feb. 23.

On March 1, essays were judged by five photojournalism professionals in two rounds. In the initial round, participants were narrowed to five finalists and invited to present their essays to the judges and the general public. Following the presentations, the judges conferred to select the winners.

Competition judges were Kenneth Ferriera, news photographer at the Lincoln Journal Star; Kim Johnson Flodin, morning deputy director of news for U.S. newsgathering at The Associated Press; Jenny Gegg, professional event photographer; Anna Reed, staff photography/video specialist at Omaha Public Schools; and Patrick Sison, AP photo editor.

The Perry Photojournalism Challenge is supported by Philip Perry, CEO of Perry Reid Properties.