On Saturday, March 14, 2009, I was at Elm Tree Elementary School in Bentonville to photograph Scout pack 121’s Pinewood Derby. I think we have all seen photos of this event and the racing didn’t excite me as much as the creativity the scouts used in creating their cars. Here are some images from the event that show more of the car designs.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, I had an assignment to photograph the Rogers Heritage High School Colors Day assembly. The new school doesn’t have any seniors yet, and so instead of crowning a queen it crowned a princess. Three juniors were candidates for the crown and I spent time with them as they waited to walk in the assembly.

Most of the time when I have this type of assignment, I try to go early so I can photograph something other than the crowning. Here is a photo of some of the girls waiting in the hallway leading to the gym.

Below is one of those little moments that will never see the light of day in newsprint. Marisa Shaw, left, later crowned princess, was joking with other members of the court in the dance room about how she would react if her name was called. She really isn’t crying, just acting. I thought that may be the highlight of my day.

However, as she started walking to meet her escort in front of the student body, she jokingly stuck out her tongue. Another photo I wouldn’t have been able to take, had I been grouped with the other shooters where the crowning would take place.

Here are some other photographs taken from behind the scenes. For those that attended the event, I hope this will give you a different perspective that you were not able to see from the stands.