Favorite photos, September-November

Three months have passed since I've done a blog post, so I figured it was time to reflect on some of my favorite photos and moments. 

Even in Tennessee, these months I witnessed the effects of major events from out of state-- Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and the Las Vegas shooting, whether it was Willie Dunlap, whose entire basement and backyard was flooded, or 10 Florida evacuees squeezed into a home, or debates on gun rights unfolding. 

Football also consumed most of my weeks, whether it was attending high school games every Friday night, or witnessing Austin Peay break the longest losing streak in Division 1 college football, which ultimately led to their biggest winning season in the program's history. 

I also met people who told me stories that will stick with me forever. Hearing Edgar Harrell, the only living Marine survivor of the USS Indianapolis recall what it was like at sea for 4 days, witnessing his fellow brothers eaten alive by sharks... how his love for his wife drove him to survive.

When work was a little slower, I spent some time on a couple photo stories, that provided so much happiness when I needed a little more faith in humanity. I've included a few photos from those projects, and the links to the stories I wrote with them.

It's hard to believe how much I've grown, and how much has changed in my life as I approach my 1 year anniversary of graduating from OU.

Willie Dunlap stands in his backyard next to his submerged car in Clarksville looking out at the floodwater on September 1, 2017. 

Willie Dunlap looks at his flooded basement from his home on Powell Drive in Clarksville on September 1, 2017

8-year-old Ethan Green, a cancer survivor, holds his arms up after reaching the top of the rope ladder obstacle at Riverfest on Saturday.

Rossview's band stands at attention before approaching the field for their pregame show on September 8, 2017.

Northeast Head Coach Chad Watson yells at his team after they ran across the lines following their first touchdown during their game against Rossview High School.

Edgar Harrell, 92, the only living survivor Marine of the USS Indianapolis, sits outside on his porch in Clarksville. The USS Indianapolis wreckage was found August 18, 2017.

Samantha Houck, wife of Sgt. Eric M. Houck, and her daughter Violet kneel by his boot during a ceremony for fallen soldiers at Fort Campbell on September 11, 2017. Houck was one of three Rakkasan soldiers killed June 10 in northeastern Afghanistan by a rogue Afghan Police officer. 

Michael Madden holds his 12-week-old son Lucas among a crowded room of clothing, baby supplies and a crib after having to evacuate from Port Charlotte, Fl with 9 other people following Hurricane Irma.

Dickson County players watch their teammates play from the sidelines against Rossview High School on September 22, 2017.

Austin Peay Head Coach Will Healy holds and kisses his wife Emily after winning their game against Morehead State on September 16, 2017, breaking the longest losing streak in Division 1 college football.

Students and football players climb one of the field goals to tear it down after winning their game against Morehead State on September 16, 2017.

Austin Peay's band performs during pregame before the UT Martin game on September 30, 2017.

Erin Gray, the Animal Ambassador Lead Keeper, shows the 3 bands of armor on an armadillo at the Nashville Zoo.

Randy Maney of Allen’s Gun Shop stands in their storefront in the aftermath of the shooting in Las Vegas, which has heightened the debate over gun rights.

Chelsea Jones, Miss Clarksville, practices her walk for the upcoming Miss Tennessee USA pageant at Clarksville Athletic Club on October 11, 2017. 

Alexandra Harper, Miss Williamson Co. USA, is crowned Miss Tennessee USA.

Sean Cook, a pastor at Key Stewart Methodist Church in Gallatin, shouts "Refugees are welcome here," as he marches along with hundreds of other counter-protestors in Murfreesboro on October 28, 2017.

Gretchen Fitzsimmons, a Re/Max Realtor, stands in front of town homes at Lenox Village in Nashville on November 9, 2017. Fitzsimmons recently sold a property there to a millennial buyer. 

An old pair of boxing gloves holds the 7 medals found inside a folded American flag in an empty home in Paris, Tennessee.

https://usat.ly/2AD2BHG

A boxing trophy from inside Paris Downtown Boxing Gym looks out to an American flag hanging across the street in Paris, Tennessee.

Neely Owens holds the folded American flag and all the boxing medals found inside at Jack's Pool Room in Paris, Tennessee on October 26, 2017. After painters found the flag and medal in an empty home over a year ago, Owens has been trying to find the family it belongs to.

Haley Manns and her service dog Mavis wander through Pet Food Center in Clarksville. Part of the initial bonding process includes going into public places together for the first time.  Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle

http://leafne.ws/2zJsRmj

Mavis sniffs Haley's hand after checking her blood sugar levels on November 14, 2017.  Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle

Haley plays fetch with her new service dog Mavis in their back yard on November 14, 2017. Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle

Haley's father Matt Manns sits with her as she checks her blood sugar levels, with Mavis standing nearby.  Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle

Senior Kyle Romano, 53, hugs his brother Chad Romano, who surprised him to watch the game against Eastern Illinois on November 18, 2017. It was the first, and last game his brother would see him play in his college career.

Austin Peay seniors, from left, Jule Pace, Malik Boynton and Max Ewoldt react to their team not getting a spot in the FCS playoffs on Sunday. 

From left, Bennett, 10, Russell, 7, Camille, 9, and Mitchell, 13, all work on their school work at the kitchen table on November 10, 2017.

http://leafne.ws/2zC6GLq

Alyssa Compton, 15, helps her younger sister Sophia, 5, practice her violin on November 10, 2017.

A group of the Compton kids gets ready to go outside for their afternoon recess on November 10, 2017.

Arthur Compton, 3, looks up the stares of his home. A year ago, he and his brother Philip were adopted from China. Both have different forms of cerebral palsy.