Graduation Season

     Since school has let out for the summer, I have been working/interning as a photographer for the Manhattan Mercury. My assignments have varied for the most part, but I have also covered a few different graduations in Manhattan. First, Kansas State University had a weekend full of commencement ceremonies, and today was Manhattan High Schools ceremony. Below are a few frames from these graduations.

The 2011 graduating class of Manhattan High School celebrating the end of their high school careers.

Searching the masses for friends and family.

A new K-State graduate taking a family photo with "Mr. K-State," Ernie Barrett.

Juggling

The Downtown Farmer's Market is now open for business in Manhattan. The Manhattan farmer's market is one of the oldest in Kansas. Below is a picture of juggler, Anneliese Spence, performing near the entrance of the market, and a man with his son walking around. I love farmer's markets because they are comprised of local people, producing locally grown food/handmade items. 

Larry Williams Sr.

     It's been a little bit since I have posted any work on here. Below is a video I just finished on a postal carrier, Larry Williams Sr., that delivers in Manhattan. Before his tenure with the U.S. Postal Service, he served 22 years in the military. He is nice guy that really enjoys his job. Take a look!

KSU vs. Mizzou Men's Basketball

     Today, I covered the K-State vs. Missouri basketball game at Bramlage Coliseum. The students and fans came out in full-force, making the "Octagon of Doom" a very loud place. Senior point guard Jacob Pullen passed the 2,000 career points mark, and led the Cats to a, 80-70, victory. This was probably one of the funnest basketball games I have ever photographed. The NCAA tournament is looking more and more like a reality for KSU, as the Wildcats (20-9) have now won four consecutive games with two left before postseason play begins.

A lone Missouri Tiger fan is surrounded by purple in the KSU student section.

Jacob Pullen became only the second Wildcat to surpass the 2,000-point mark.

Kansas in Kansas

     On January 28, the band, Kansas, came to McCain Auditorium to play a concert in front of a sold out crowd. The band (with hits such as Dust In The Wind and Carry On My Wayward Son) was accompanied by the Kansas State University Orchestra. It was a long day of coverage as I went to the orchestras rehearsal before the concert, mostly to gather video for a VOSOT I am going to work on, and then later to cover the actual concert. What a great time for Kansas (the band) to come to Kansas (the state), as the state of Kansas turned 150 the following day (January 29).

The bands drum tech shows his permanent support and love for the band.

Guitar Player magazine as a mouse pad backstage. Now THAT is rock n' roll!

I caught Larry Baird, the Orchestral Music Director, doing his "Thriller" during the concert.

Kyle Cease

     On Friday night, actor and stand-up comedian Kyle Cease performed to a large crowd inside Forum Hall at K-State. I have always loved watching stand-up but had never been to a live show. I was assigned to photograph the event for The Collegian and figured it would be a reasonably short shoot. I arrived around 45 minutes early to see if there was a crowd lining up. When I arrived the line was growing by the second. The scheduled starting time for the show was 10:15 p.m., but, of course, Cease didn't take the stage until around 10:30 p.m. I ended up not getting home until about 2 a.m. This guy was quite hilarious. He interacted with the crowd, playing pranks on audience members who left to use the bathroom, and ended with an inspirational-like speech. Good times!

Students rushed inside Forum Hall to get the best seats available.

Kyle Cease, hiding around a corner, listening to the opening comics before taking the stage.

Little "White" Apple

Manhattan experienced a fairly intense snow storm throughout the day Wednesday. Evening classes were canceled, but, to the disappointment of many students, classes resumed normally on Thursday.