Growing Up McCullough

By Svet Jacqueline

Svet Jacqueline

Team Cliff & Vi

STORY SUMMARY

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Aubrey McCullough, a spunky four-year-old, exemplifies the tenacious spirit of the family legacy. Ingrained traditions and a love of the Missouri soil have shaped her primitive years. As she starts to gain her independence she leans on the unbreakable bonds of the generations before her.

The family’s farmland in Excelsior Springs has been passed down since the 1800s. Its rich history is present in every part of the family’s daily life. Her father Ryan and grandfather Jim share stories of their experiences when they were her age as life lessons to live by.

This series documents the moments of a young girl preparing for independence. Mornings herding cows and nights at home disguise hard work into family bonding. “I love you, Dad” are the words she says the most.

Aubrey McCullough, 4, and her sister Kinley, 7, ride with their dog in the back of their family truck on September 20, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

The McCullough family walks on the family’s 140-acre farmland on September 20, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Jim McCullough chops firewood with his son Ryan and granddaughter Aubrey, 4, on the family’s original farmland purchased in 1886 on September 21, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Jim McCullough stares down at his granddaughter, Aubrey, 4, as they ride from the family’s original farmland purchased in 1886 on September 21, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. “Some people go to church, I find my god on the farm,” he said.

Ryan McCullough walks with his daughter Aubrey, 4, by the original barn on the family’s original farmland purchased in 1886 on September 21, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Aubrey McCullough, 4, directs cows into the pen for feeding and inventory on September 23, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Jim McCullough wipes a tear from his four-year-old granddaughter Aubrey’s eye while she is soothed by her father, Ryan on the family farm early on September 23, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

The McCullough family participates in an after-school event at Aubrey’s school, Cornerstone Elementary on September 22, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Mother Kari combs Kinley’s hair as sister Aubrey waits for her turn. The McCullough family has a scheduled routine for bedtime on September 22, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The daughters will get up early to feed the cows before school. The family home is located facing their 140-acre farm and has been the place Aubrey, 4, has grown up.

Ryan McCullough sits across from his daughter Aubrey, 4, as the McCullough family enjoys family dinner on September 22, 2022, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The family home is located facing their 140-acre farm and has been the place Aubrey has grown up.

Aubrey McCullough, 4, sits illuminated by her iPad at Wabash BBQ, the restaurant her grandfather Jim owns in Excelsior Springs, Missouri on September 20, 2022.

Brian Kratzer, Co-Director

Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director

Hany Hawasly, Technical Director

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