Tiny Cheerleader

Shaniya Simcox, 3, cheers along with Alma High School's cheerleading squad,

including her aunt, on Saturday, Sept. 17 during the school's varsity football game.

Night at the Speedway

I spent the evening last Friday job shadowing Nick King of the Midland Daily News.

He was working on a photo story about a third generation race car driver.

I learned an important lesson from Nick about building rapport with subjects.

It inspired me to begin my own projects in JRN 422 and capture the stories of others.

(I also took the opportunity while at the Mount Pleasant Speedway to explore the pits. I loved it.)

Engine Swap

Matthew and I were driving back to the apartment one evening before school started.

He pointed to the parking lot in front of the towers and said, "Look, that's freaking sweet."

This poor kid (Ohio sophomore Andrew Coutts) was swapping engines after his original motor blew.

Luckily, he said cars were second nature to him.

Thank you to Matt for catching the scene and pulling over so I could shoot it.

Hello, Fall Sports!

Lots of sports so far this semester. I am more than happy about that.

Old 27 Tour

Matthew had a freelance assignment a few weeks ago in the charming little town of St. Louis, Mich.

Hundreds of classic (& beautiful) cars rolled into town for the annual Old 27 Tour.

There were interesting people everywhere, including the couple above who were singing to "Leroy Brown."

I could have spent all day there.

Camp Quality: Day Five

What an incredible, indescribable experience.

All the people at Camp Quality touched my life beyond what I could have imagined.

It was so hard to leave at the end of the week.

Camp Quality: Day Four

Camp Quality: Day Three

[Well, everything I shot yesterday afternoon and evening completely corrupted

on my card. I couldn't recover much, but I did manage to salvage this one.]

This is Justin.

I hate to choose favorites, but I have really grown attached to him this week.

He is extremely shy and soft spoken; however, when he smiles, his entire face lights up.

Yesterday, he tapped me on the shoulder and said, "I have a surprise for you...

but I'll only give it to you if you sit by me at dinner."

He made me a beaded necklace with my name on it. It was one of the sweetest

& most thoughtful gifts I've ever been given.

It absolutely kills me to think about all he has gone through. He is so gentle and fragile.

I wish I could give him his childhood back,

and I wish I could protect him from cancer.

Camp Quality: Day Two

The kids had a blast this afternoon during "Marshmallow Madness."

Who knew that throwing wet marshmallows at each other could be so much fun?

Welcome to Camp Quality =]

Camp Quality is a weeklong camp for children who have experienced or who have cancer.

I am glad to be shooting it, considering all my mother is currently going through.

The kids are all inspiring and wonderful, and they really deserve this opportunity to be carefree for a few days.

Putt Putt with Becky

Becky is Farmington's little piece of sunshine. I took her putt-putting at the old, run-down

course at the edge of town today. Of course she chose a pink putter and ball,

and she used it to score TWO hole in ones.

"This is the happiest day of my entire life," she said.

Bits & Pieces

Get it? BITS and pieces? Haha. Maybe horse people will think it's funny.

I haven't been able to shoot much lately, and I really need to change that.

CMU Graduation

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

You are the guy who'll decide where to go."

-Dr. Suess

Huge congratulations to my boyfriend, Matthew, for graduating.

So disappointed to see him leave, but so excited to see where he's headed.

THREADS!

"A girl should be two things: classy & fabulous."

-Coco Chanel

[CM Life]

"Don't Count 'Em Out"

"The CMU baseball team empties the dugout as senior James Teas slides into home plate

to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday at Theunissen Stadium.

Junior Matt Faiman hit an RBI double to score the run. CMU trailed 8-4 going into the ninth inning."

[CM Life]