Photos: Gazette’s Best Photos of the second half of May 2025

Maria Ahmed (left), 13, of Coralville, Iowa, shifts gears on a bicycle she is making roadworthy while youth bike coordinator Dustin Eubanks cranks the pedals during Outspoken Teens night at the Iowa City Bike Library, 1222 South Gilbert Ct., in Iowa City, Iowa, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Teens that attend the drop-in time learn skills of bike repair as well as problem-solving skills. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

This raspberry-lemon-flavored cheesecake is complimented with a pound cake crust. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Andreas Linninger (left) takes photos of his daughter Patricia Linninger (middle) placing her graduate cap on her little sister’s, Rhea Linninger's, head after the University of Iowa’s Law Commencement Ceremony at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City on Friday, May 16, 2025. Andreas Linninger, a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, enjoys graduation ceremonies. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Don Stephens (97) leads the pack during weekly racing at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Teimer Rzave (left) and Olga Rzavea (right) photograph Iskander Rzave doing handstands in front of the Orloj Astronomical Clocktower during Houby Days in Czech Village, southwest Cedar Rapids, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Rzave said they traveled from Minnesota to Cedar Rapids to check out the Houby Days festival. Rzavea added that she enjoyed the Orloj Astronomical Clocktower. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Pauline Falcon, age 100, presses a dumbbell during a senior fitness class at Elite Fitness in Marion, Iowa on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, public works department worker Connor Cronbaugh attaches a street sign to a post as fellow worker Keegan Pope works on the base of the post at the intersection of Stone Hedge Drive NW and Boulder Drive NW in northwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Monday, May 19, 2025. The city of Cedar Rapids is looking to modify the rules for street names in some interesting, quirky ways. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Kelly Russell (left), mother of victim Jennifer Russell, is hugged by her husband and Jennifer’s father Matt after making her victim impact statement at Kesean Ford’s sentencing hearing at the Johnson County Courthouse in Iowa City, Iowa, on Monday, May 19, 2025. Ford was sentenced to a prison term not to exceed 10 years. Ford pleaded guilty of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter after a crash in May 27, 2023 that killed Jennifer Russell, 22, of Waterloo, Iowa. Ford and Elijah Seals were allegedly drag racing when the vehicle driven by Ford collided with Russell’s vehicle. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Jackie Gautsch an environmental specialist, senior with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources collects water samples in the swimming area at Lake MacBride State Park in Solon, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Normally seasonal workers collect samples for testing. Samples are collected from various points across the swimming area to get a broader representation for testing. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Center Point-Urbana High School senior Kyle James, as Stormin' Norman, high-fives students in the halls of the high school during the send-off for track and field students in Center Point, Iowa, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The athletes will be competing at the 2025 Iowa High School Track and Field Championships. James said he decided to try out to be Stormin' Norman because he’s helped the mascot with his mom, Melissa James, since he was a kid. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Community members come up to Marion Alliance for Racial Equity’s (MARE) co-leader Ana Clymer and MARE member Iris Strong after they spoke about the importance of mental health services during the public forum portion of the Marion City Council meeting at City Hall in Marion on Thursday, May 22, 2025. During their speeches, they spoke about how important mental health is, and they thanked the city council for taking the time to improve the city’s programs. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Mount Vernon’s Libby Dix (center) hugs her twin brothers Will (left) and Mack, both 10, after she won the 3A girls discus on the first day of the 2025 Iowa High School Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Dix won with a throw of 148’, 10”. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Retired Center Point-Urbana art teacher Richard Butschi talks about some of the different designs he came up with for Stormin' Norman in Center Point, Iowa, on Friday, May 23, 2025. Butschi said he decided to combine the mascots after a student at a student council meeting suggested he put the Stormin’ Pointers mascot inside the Cyclone. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Tasha Erickson paints an end table at Scarlett Boutique in Mount Vernon, Iowa on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Class of 2025 Prairie High School graduate Asha Banza smiles and dances to music as she holds bouquets of paper money flowers as family and friends celebrate her graduation outside of the Double Tree by Hilton Convention Center in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Banza moved to the United States from Tanzania when she was nine-years-old. Now, 18 she is still exploring her cultural roots. “For my family, the money bouquet symbolizes not just pride but also everything they’ve done to support my success. It feels like a final “goodbye,” a signature of their encouragement as I step into my independence. They give me the money with the hope that I’ll use it to create more opportunities for myself,” explains Banza. Banza pans to pursue a degree in Digital Arts, focusing on movie production. “I’ve always loved storytelling and being in front of the camera. However, as I grew up, I realized that being featured on someone’s camera became a privilege. I want to change that and offer a fresh perspective, showcasing a new kind of beauty in everyday life,” said Banza. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

From left: Tipton’s Ella Hein, Noelle Steines, Tatum Nebergall and Zoe Holstein celebrate after the time on the clock of the third and final heat surpassed their time during the 2A girls sprint medley relay on the second day of the 2025 Iowa High School Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, May 23, 2025. Tipton won from the second heat in 4:07.80. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Western Dubuque’s Quentin Nauman hugs his coach, Elaina Bircher, after winning the 3A boys 1600-meter run during the 2025 Iowa State Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Nauman set a new state record and came in second for United States high school outdoor rankings with a time of 3:59.60.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Western Dubuque’s Quentin Nauman reacts after winning the 1,600-meter run with a time of 3:59.60 during the Iowa State Track & Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Amir Prellberg/The Gazette)

Western Dubuque’s Quentin Nauman reacts after coming in first place in the 3A boys 1,600-meter run during the 2025 Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Nauman set a new state record and came in second for United States high school outdoor rankings with a time of 3:59.60.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Alburnett’s Caiden Bueckers, Logan Ossman, Jett Bueckers and Laken Caves celebrates with high-fives after competing in the boys 2A 4x400-meter race during the Iowa State Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Alburnett High School placed third with a time of 3:21.90 and set a new Iowa’s 19th best time.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Marion’s Kenzie Lovell and Abby Cave hug after competing in the 3A girls 4x100-meter relay finals during the 2025 Iowa State Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Wolves placed second with a time of 48.60 seconds. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Clear Creek-Amana outfielder Trace Robertson (6) catches the ball for an out against Kennedy in the second inning of the game at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Marine Corps League color guard commander Rod Thompson, right, and member Michael Cline watch the 2025 Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Backed up vehicles stretch for miles due to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 380 near North Liberty, Iowa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Iowa City West’s Derek Hua celebrates with a teammate after defeating Waukee Northwest in the doubles first round during the 2025 IHSAA Class 2A state tennis tournament at Hawkeyes Tennis and Recreation Center in Iowa City, Iowa on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Dave Ameling of Ossian, Iowa, laughs at U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson’s response to his question about the big beautiful bill that was recently passed during a town hall meeting at the Elkader Opera House in Elkader, Iowa, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Erin Kartz and Bryan Kartz embrace during the final goodbyes for the Iowa National Guard Deployment ceremony at Iowa National Guard Iowa City Readiness Center in Iowa City on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Members of the 1st battalion 133rd infantry regiment are among the nearly 1,800 troops mobilizing for a one-year deployment as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, which brings assignments in Iraq and Syria. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Soldiers load their bags onto buses during an Iowa National Guard Sendoff Ceremony in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Liberty's Kali Browning crouches to the ground as Bettendorf Bulldogs players celebrate defeating the Lightning during the girls' soccer regional final at Liberty High School in North Liberty on Friday, May 30, 2025. The Bulldogs won after Alivia Snow (not shown) scored the winning goal in the last minute of the match. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Columbus Catholic High School’s Kate Holton hits the ball back to Xavier High School’s Gabriella Fleming during the Class 1A girls' state tennis tournament at Byrnes Park Tennis Center in Waterloo on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Xavier High School’s Gabriella Fleming won the game, 6-0, 6-0.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Xavier High School tennis team members Lulu Rozeboom (right) and Tia Halabi (left) hug Gabriella Fleming after she won her second state title in girls' singles tennis during the Class 1A girls' state tennis tournament at Byrnes Park Tennis Center in Waterloo on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Fleming won her second state title match with a score of 6-0, 6-0.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)