Olivia Lauter, photo editor
Photo Gallery: Leopards to face Timberview in round three of playoffs: From Katie’s first game this year to her shooting through the end of playoffs, her love for the sport as well as shooting it is so clear. This gallery is by far her best work from the entire season capturing the action, and the emotion of the game so well. This game was easily one of the best wins of the season having cheered the game and Katie, as always, captured every moment perfectly. Her passion for sports photography is such an inspiration, and I have positively loved having her on my photo staff this year. Seeing the photographers on staff producing amazing photos is such a joy for me, and this entire gallery from the first to the last photo brought me so much of that joy.
Football attends fourth round of playoffs: This game lives so distinctly in my memories, from the highs of winning for the first majority of the game to the low of losing in the last quarter, and Katie captures all of these emotions perfectly. This story is so much more than a typical sports story, and it describes this game that will live in school history for years to come with a passion that I have always seen in Katie for football. The story closes perfectly with two simple words, “Unfinished Business,” which was the best way to close the story for the closing of such a phenomenal season.
Senior Goodbye: Perfect Imperfections: I have always had a love for senior columns, and this one was just too good to not include in this list. This column perfectly conveys so much emotion into a feeling that many can relate to. I cried, I smiled, and I absolutely loved the photo metaphor Ryan utilizes to tell his story. This read left me wanting so much more. After reading this, I wish I could read so much more of what Ryan has to say as this piece was one of my favorites from the site. From beginning to end, Ryan’s writing did not fail to keep me intrigued and full of emotion.
Firefighters of Lucas: I love this story. Lily did such a phenomenal job at capturing each one of the firefighters lives into this story. This story is so inspiring. From the storytelling, formatting, quotes, and everything in between, every aspect of the story is just too good. Getting the opportunity to take the photos for this story was one of my favorite experiences as a photographer. I quickly took this assignment for myself having so many ideas of the perfect way to capture these firefighters. At the station, they were so incredibly kind, letting me excitedly run around the station while asking them questions and taking photos with each of the vehicles. I loved this moment and I think it’s one I will always remember. Not only was the time taking the photos for this story amazing, but it is also one of my award winners from this year making it all so much more memorable.
Little things: Calla did it again. She continued to write incredible stories the entire year and this one does not fail that standard. Both Kailey and Coach Littlefield are some of the sweetest people I have ever met, and this story portrays them both as well as their relationship so well. Calla opens this story so beautifully and closes it just as well. The mother-daughter, coach-athlete relationship the two share is written so well making this such a good read. After reading the draft for the story and talking to Calla about how to get the photo, I met with the Littlefield’s at the track one day during their practice. When they ran together for the photo, it was such a sweet moment and I loved capturing it.