Tuesday, July 07, 2009

A Senior to Remember





Every year, when I'm photographing high school Seniors, I get a glimpse of their character and personality. This year I've been lucky to photograph a student from Franklin High that has already shown enough ambition, dedication and selfless acts to fill a stadium.

Because I'm going to produce a custom book for Derek, I started photographing him during wrestling season. He was fast and strong!. Then we moved into Track & Field season, where I watched him reach a personal best in the pole vault. Add in an 800 run and a relay and you get the picture - fast, strong and has endurance!

But what really impressed me was the Eagle Scout project Derek took on. My nephew's an Eagle Scout so I know the drive, dedication and ambition one has to have to achieve the Eagle Scout ranking. For his project, Derek built a Veterans Memorial in Franklin to honor those that have served our country, including 3 generations of his family. No big deal, you might think, until I tell you that he sold the idea to the Planning Commission, Parks Commission, Veterans Associations and many others that could say "yea" or "nay" to his project. Throw in requests for donations to the tune of $50,000 so that the Memorial could be built, and I think you get the idea of his goal setting.

So it was an honor to make some images of him that show off the work he's accomplished thus far and give you a glimpse of the quiet strength he possess to achieve his goals. Here's a young guy that each time I'm done photographing him, thanks me! Little does he know that he's made me feel like a million bucks!

2 comments:

  1. Great job Peggy!
    You capture the elements of Derek's accomplishments, confidence, maturity - and of course his good looks.
    Grandpa

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  2. Thanks Sal! Derek's a great example of what youth can do!

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