2021 NSPA Photojournalist of the Year Portfolio
2021 Wrestling State Championship
While attending the CHSAA Wrestling State Championship in Pueblo, Colorado, I was able to move around the side of the mats. When I noticed that the two wrestlers were aligned with our coaches chairs and were staring at each other, I moved in quickly to try to make the coaches my center of interest. At this point, Coach Heinz stood up and began to yell and gave me the shot that I wanted.
YOU GOT THIS. As Levi Fry '21 stares at Rangeview opponent Greg Brooks '21 in the 182-pound State consolation match, Assistant Coach Eric Heinz yells to Fry to go low and score more points as Assistant Coach James Garcia sits beside him on March 13. Brooks continued on in the competition with a 10-7 consolation win over Fry. "As a coach, you never stop cheering on your wrestlers and giving them advice to win over their opponent," Heinz said. "Our boys had a great showing at State and they each gave their all on the mat." photo by j. bishop
The Great Gatsby
With classes moving to in-person learning, I was able to attend a few classes to get some academic photos, and Mr. Daigle introducing "The Great Gatsby" was going to be an event. While sitting at his desk, I notice him about to interact with a student sitting in front of me. Using my 50 mm lens I was able to catch him pointing across the room while blurring out the student below him.
A MAN NAMED GATSBY. AP Language and Composition students like Eleah Smith '22 watch as Mr. Justin Daigle, English teacher, points across the room as a Gatsby party-goer as he introduces the novel, "The Great Gatsby" on April 8. In the introductory lesson, Daigle had students predict what they thought the novel would be about based off of clues from his monologue. "In my monologue, I am attending Gatby's party and pretend to see different characters like Nick Carraway and make comments that no one knows who this Gatsby guy is," Daigle said. " This is one of my favorite lessons I do because it really hooks students into wanting to read this novel." photo by j. bishop
Softball Erie High School Tournament
While standing on the side of third base using my 70-300mm lens, I was able to use one of the gaps in the fence to focus in on Kasey, who just recently hit a single and was on first base. I was focused in on the first baseman and Kasey, but when the pitcher was in motion she also came into the frame but remained out of focus, layering Kasey perfectly under her arm.
MY EYES ON YOU. Kasey Dean ‘23 watches as pitcher Makena Geist ‘21 winds up to pitch the ball so she can lead off first base while standing next to Kaylie Stitch ‘21 at the Erie High School Tournament on Aug. 28. The Bulldogs took the win 11-1 against the Mustangs. “I want to put myself in scoring position so getting a head start off first base gives me the best opportunity to steal second,” Dean said. photo by j. bishop
Senior Sunset Fireworks Show
I was told that there was going to be a big surprise for us seniors at Senior Sunset. Once I saw the first set of fireworks start, I took my camera and found this group of seniors huddled up staring at the sky. I got on the ground and aimed my camera up so in frame I saw their heads lit up by the fireworks in the sky.
THAT WAS A FIREWORKS SHOW. After barbecuing hotdogs and hamburgers in the student parking lot, Andrew Cronk ‘21, Devon Vick ‘21, Reagan Hindman ‘21, Mckenna Yates ‘21 and Kirby Federocko come together to watch the surprise fireworks show at the Senior Sunset on May 14. “When the fireworks went off, I was very surprised. As they went on, the excitement set in and my emotions took over. I was elated and extremely happy that we could get such a cool send off and though the movie ran short, the fun was still there, and I’m extremely glad I could make it to that day. It will be a moment I will take with me,“ Cronk said. photo by j. bishop
9 News Interview
After the virtual swim meet against Northglenn, a 9News reporter set up an area where she was going to interview a few of the swimmers. At first I stood right behind the camera as she interviewed swimmers, but then I noticed a few of the parents on the side recording their daughters being interviewed. I came over and stood behind Emily's dad, and focused on him and the phone while still making sure she was in blurred and in frame.
THAT'S MY DAUGHTER. After finishing their virtual meet against Northglenn, Emily Aten '23 is interviewed by a 9News reporter about being a high school swimmer during a pandemic as her father records her interview on his cell phone on Feb. 23. 9News attended their meet to spotlight the team during their evening educational segment. "They were able to come in and capture what it was like for us to swim during this pandemic and now thousands of people now know our story," Aten said. "I was pretty nervous at first, but once they started asking questions in front of the camera, it all became real and exciting." photo by j. bishop