Through a lens

My life expands educationally, artfully

by Laura Norris, photography editor

 

It is with a heavy heart that I write this farewell piece. At first, I didn’t even want to write it.

First of all, I have to dote on the Plainsman Press. After all, if it didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be here writing this opinion column, and you wouldn’t be here reading it. In the beginning, I was the graphic design editor, then became the news editor. In my last year on the Plainsman Press, I became the photography editor.

Being on the paper staff has been a joy for me. It has let me fulfill so many things I wanted to accomplish, while at the same time it gave me an awesome portfolio to depart with. That is one thing that I’m very happy for. Another is the ever-awesome staff that I have the opportunity to spend my late Tuesday and Thursday nights with.

To begin with, I’ll start with my family. Thank you so much for supporting me in everything I do, financially and emotionally. You all are always there to tell me good job, and dote on me to everybody else.  I could not have done any of this without you. Thanks for being there.

To Jon Seaborn, you are one unique individual, and one of the best editor-in-chiefs to grace us with your presence. I was really sad to see you leave before the year was over. But while you were there, you really taught me a lot when it comes to layout and handling hard situations. I really appreciate all your hard work and devotion during your reign. I will miss you. 

Hilary McNamara, you are one of my best friends, on the paper staff and off. I remember back in the day when we were just starting out on the staff. We would always do stories together. You would write, and I would take the pictures. Even though they weren’t the biggest and most important pieces, we always had fun doing them.

Now that we are still editors together, we continue to cover stories and put our own special spin on them. You enabled me to become a better photographer with your creative ideas and positive attitude. Remember when we almost went to jail for trespassing to get good photographs for one of our Spotlights? That will be something we remember forever. I will definitely miss the good team we made, but thankfully this is not the end. Keep smiling and follow your dreams, because we all know that nothing will stop you when you put your mind to something.

Britni Palomino, you are an amazing photographer. I’m comfortable in leaving the staff knowing that you will take over my position. You always keep a calm, cool attitude when the pressure is on, which is a very good quality to have. Thanks for working as hard as you do for me, and taking tough assignments. Keep up your great action photos, because you are truly gifted. Even though I am leaving, hopefully this is not goodbye. You are a great person and a true friend.

Brittany Bradford, you are a little firecracker. We weren’t friends in high school, but I’m glad this editorial staff gave us the opportunity to get to know each other and even become friends.

I love reading your opinions. You are a great writer. However, you are also great at doing makeovers. You always find a way to make me crack up, even if it is 3 a.m. while we are thinking of headlines or layouts. Thanks for all of your creative assistance for the Spotlight pages, including the dozens of cut-outs that you did.

Caroline Basile, you are a weird one. But that’s why everyone loves you. You can always make a joke and lighten the mood. So far, you’ve done a great job of being the editor-in-chief over all of us crazy editors. I don’t know how you keep us in line while keeping your cool at the same time, but you are amazing and find a way. Your willingness to help in any situation is one of your great qualities, and thank you so much for everything you’ve helped me accomplish.

Laura Cain, you are a very sweet, down-to-earth individual. Although you have a loud exterior, I got a chance to see through to your quiet, caring interior. I enjoyed doing the Bush Spotlight with you. I think that gave us a chance to be a great team and produce an amazing piece of artwork together. You are an amazing feature writer, as we all know. Good luck in all of your future endeavors. I know you’ll do well.

Courtney Bullard, you are a great individual and a true comedian. Sadly, we don’t hang out as much as we used to, but back in the day, we had some fun times. We have done many stories together, and those are some of my fondest memories I have on the staff. When no one else could do a news story, we were always the ones to go. We made an awesome duo, and I will miss you greatly. Good luck when you move, and have faith in your abilities, because you are very capable.

Melissa Rinehart, what a sweet and caring person you are. Your thoughtful nature has enabled me to warm up to you faster than I usually do with people. I can tell you are very passionate about your work, and someday you will make a great professional photographer. Don’t doubt your abilities, because you are great at taking pictures. Have faith, and never give up your dreams and you will go far.

Alex Everett, when you first came on the staff, I was glad that we got to know each other right away. You have a lot of interesting opinions, and I like to listen to what you have to say. You are fun to be around and put a smile on my face when you’re being funny. I’m definitely going to miss you when I graduate, but I know you will continue to go do good things on the staff next semester. Expand on those photography skills, because I know you have them. Use them!

Beka Rutledge, man, you’re quiet girl, but you know what they say about the quiet ones. - -When you first came to the paper staff that one Paper Night, I thought for sure we scared you off. Then you came back and stuck it out for all these semesters. You are a great entertainment editor, and good movie reviewer. I know you love those movies! I know you will go far in this business; you just look like a writer. Don’t let the small stuff get you down, and keep your chin up, because you’re a great woman.

Hylann Camacho, you are funny and always have an interesting story to tell. I have to admit that at first I was intimidated by you, but now that I’ve gotten to know you, you are a pleasure to be around. I will miss your free and lackadaisical attitude.

Amelia Gonzales, even though you’re not on the paper staff anymore, I think about you often. The fun times we had all those semesters ago will always stick with me. You really taught me how to have fun and just let loose. You’re an amazing writer, and I know you will go far. Thanks for being there for me when nobody else was. You truly are a special, one-of-a-kind person, and I’m lucky to know you.

To all my photographers, Brenda Cuellar, Homer Marquez, Savannah Nash, Amber Henderson, Michael Guevara, and Chelsea Baham, thank you so much for all of your dedication. I know what it takes to get good pictures, and I truly appreciate all of your hard work, because I couldn’t do it without all of you.

And to the rest of the staff, thank you so much for everything you do. We, as an editorial staff, depend on you, and you all always pull through in the end with awesome ideas and great stories.

Lastly, there's my advisor, Charlie Ehrenfeld. I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to work with him. He is truly an amazing man, and the greatest teacher I’ve had the chance to be taught by. He has not only given me the chance to become the greatest photographer that I can be, but he has taught me a lot about writing. It is too bad that I can’t take him with me to Texas Tech, but then I would be depriving future students of having him as a professor. And as I know, that would be horrible, because I want prospective students to have the best professor they’ll ever be taught by too.

I will miss the days when Charlie would always ask me what idea I would have for the next Spotlight. I will miss the days when he would ask me to go to the Baptist Student Ministries for 50-cent lunches. And most of all, I will miss the days when Charlie would say,“Laura, that’s amazing, and that’s why you’re the photography editor” while patting me on the back. Memories like those will stick with me forever. And coming from a professor who I admire and look up to …it truly made me happy and touched my heart. Once again, thanks Charlie for being who you are, and for being a great advisor. 

Now it’s time to move on, and leave this college. Coming to school at South Plains has been one of the best moves I’ve made, and my life has been better for it. If you’re ever thinking about going to a community college, especially South Plains, before a university, just do it and you will not regret it. It just may be the best experience you’ll ever have, not to mention that you will make amazing friends along the way.

All Photos by Laura Norris/Plainsman Press