PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

As we take a look back at the year in photos, we come across many highs and lows of life as we experienced in 2025. Our Steele County Times photographers captured those raw moments in a variety of ways: celebrating a first-ever state title for Huskies gymnasts; a young girl fighting to keep her frustration to a minimum while showing at the Steele County Free Fair; outgoing Owatonna superintendent Jeff Elstad sharing an emotional goodbye; a freshman legislator taking office at the State Capitol; the story of a centenarian enjoying the fair.

Here's what our photographers had to share about their favorite photos of the year:

CELEBRATING
A STATE TITLE

Johnnie Phillips

The Owatonna gymnastics team celebrates with its 2025 state title trophy after hearing its name announced as the winner of the Class AA team championships. The Huskies' 146.825 points edged out New Prague by .375 points for the program's first-ever state title. The photo is my favorite of 2025 because of its raw emotion and layered experiences. Then-juniors Chloe Myer, Dylann Norrid and Kendra Miller prep for a selfie. Senior Halle Theis raises the trophy high after sealing the win with a stellar balance beam routine, despite dealing with a nagging ankle injury. Other teammates cheer and dance in a moment that surely became a core memory for all involved. To me, this is what sports is all about.

A COMPASSIONATE
EDUCATOR RETIRES

Kay Fate

Former OPS Superintendent Jeff Elstad wipes away tears while addressing members of the Owatonna School Board at his final meeting on June 16. His last day with the district was June 30, after serving as lead administrator for the past eight years. I chose this as one of my favorite photos of the year for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it captured Elstad’s sincere love of education – something I’ve seen for decades. We first met in 2003, when Elstad was assistant principal at OHS and I covered the education beat for the local paper. Our educator/journalist connections continued as we moved through our careers, eventually landing us both back in Steele County. I respected Elstad’s transparency about the difficult issues; his willingness to listen to others; and mostly, his passion and compassion for students and how they learn. That’s why, when it was time for him to address the School Board at his final meeting as superintendent, I expected him to become emotional.

AGITATED WHILE
SHOWING

Rick Bussler

Most of the time everybody is happy at the Steele County Free Fair. However, I caught one of those rare moments in which a young girl showing a horse was experiencing difficulty. It produced a totally different light on what the fair means to some. The terrified and distressed look on her face indicates just how intense showing animals can be even at such a young age. Despite the agitation, she went on to compete without giving up on her horse. It’s just one of the many ways people expose their vulnerability at community events such as Minnesota’s largest county fair.

FRESHMAN LAWMAKER
TAKES OFFICE

Alex Malm

State Representative Tom Sexton was sworn into office on a historic freezing cold day last January. Only members of the Republican Caucus showed up forcing weeks of back-and-forth debate before both parties agreed to a power sharing agreement in the evenly split House. 

GEORGIA’S STORY

IS OUR STORY, TOO

Joni Hubred

My role with the Times has changed quite a bit this year, as I've taken on copy editing and proofing duties for our sister publication, the Dodge County Independent. As a result, I've covered far fewer events and–naturally–taken far fewer photos. This one was never published, but there is a story behind it. 

For the past couple years, I've met my colleague Kay Fate at the Steele County Free Fair for a fabulous lunch and a catch-up conversation. This year, we met on Senior Citizens Day. She needed to cover the senior recognition, so when I got to the fairgrounds, I made a beeline for the Fair Square Stage. I took a bench while Kay went off to take her photos. 

I was listening to some fine polka music by the Dan Stursa Band when I caught sight of Kay as she's pictured. Somehow, while covering one story, she'd ended up with a whole other one–about 101-year-old Georgia Vincent, who with her family had driven from Fredericksburg, Va., to attend the fair. Georgia grew up attending the SCFF, and she had stories to tell. Kay interviewed Georgia and her daughter, Nancy, and you can see the joy evident on their faces. 

This moment in time for me reflected everything that I have always loved about community journalism: Our focus on the community means we get the stories that larger publications so often don't. And now, thanks to my intrepid colleague, Georgia's story is our story, too.