Each day is a lesson learned and it is hard to say goodbye

Owens photojournalism class at Bittersweet Farms (Photo by Lori King)

  I cannot believe that the semester is already over.  It seems like yesterday I was walking into class wondering what the semester was going to hold for me. 
  All of the students in the class were apart of the Outlook.  It was great to go from a staff of five to having a staff of more than ten.
  Being the Editor in Chief of the Owens Outlook, I felt that I was under more pressure to succeed in the photojournalism class.  It felt weird to me to think that Lori King was the advisor of the Outlook and my teacher at the same time. 
  There was so much information in one semester.  I do not know where to begin.  Understanding the rights to the media was a very importing lesson.  I know how to protect myself if something would arise.
  The class really makes you step out of your comfort zone.  I have always been a very outgoing person but there were times that I was hesitant to interview people for my assignments.   
  I wish that we would have been able to learn a little more about the writing aspect of photojournalism.  I understand that it was more about the pictures but most journalist do it all.  I wish that Owens had a journalist class that I could take to improve my writing skills more.
  At first, it was very challenging to blog.  I have never had a blog before.  We also had to be more social media savvy.  I only had a Facebook page so adding a blog, Twitter and Instagram account was a social media overloud.         
  Know, I feel more confident in my writing skills.  I have learned to reread over my articles multiple times.  Even though I did not like the idea of having a blog, I have grown to love it.  I like to be able to express myself and let others see my pictures.  I hope to keep up with the blog even though I am done with the class.  
  So much happened this semester.  Owens sent some of the staff to Philadelphia to attend a national convention were information was flowing everywhere.  I met great new people that if it was not for this class or the Outlook, I would never have had that chance.  The Outlook website looks fabulous.  The school is starting to see what we are all about.  I am very proud of everyone that a part of the staff of the Owens Outlook this semester.  We are one big happy family!  
  Lori and I work well as a team.  She is one of the greatest people that I have met in my life along with Diane Larson!  In the end I am happy that I took the class! 

Meeting new people and learning down on the farm

Matt Pierson (left) and Anne Foltz walking Cheyene for exercise. (Photo by Katie Buzdor)

Beth Meyers cutting the main pieces of glass for

the ornaments. (Photo by Katie Buzdor)

  The Owens photojournalism class received a great opportunity to do a service project.
  We piled into an Owens van and traveled to Whitehouse were Bittersweet Farms is located.  Bittersweet Farms is a small community that helps adults with Autism.
  Right now Bittersweet Farms is having issues with funding for their Medicade services that there residents receive. 
  When the class arrived, we interviewed one of the day residents Jamie Cummins.  She has been coming to the community for over seven years.  She helps in the kitchen and is a co-secretary for the farm.  She told us how much Bittersweet Farms means to her. 
  When we walked out of the main building after our interview and noticed multiple buildings.  We decided to break up into teams so that we could cover the whole community.
  There is a barn where they care for animals.  Bittersweet Farms also has a woodshop where the residents make different types of furniture and other crafts.  They even have a green house where they grow their own plants and make items such as pesto.  The community has an arts and crafts center where they make many types of items and sell them in their located in the community.  
  I stopped into the arts and crafts building, there were three people working on glass sun catchers for gift baskets for Huntington Bank.  This is where I met Beth Meyers. She is the longest resident of Bittersweet Farms.  According to some of the helpers in the arts and crafts center Meyer is the best cutter for the glass sun catchers. 

Dan Everett conditions Cheyene's hoof. (Photo

by Katie Buzdor)

  The barn was my next stop and a very interesting stop at that.  They had two horses, two sheep and a goat.  Dan Everett was one of the main helpers in the barn.  At one point the goat ended up eating a magazine that was sitting on a chair and Dan wrestled it to the ground to get it out of his mouth.       
  I really enjoyed my trip to the farm.  It was a bittersweet day for me.  I did not want to say goodbye.  It was great to get to meet so many different people and I am looking forward to going back and volunteering to help with anything that they need.       
Check out our story from the Owens Outlook 
http://owensoutlook.com/3019/whats-new/down-on-the-farm-ornery-bittersweet-farm-participants-remain-strong-despite-threats-in-funding/



Barn that houses the animals at Bittersweet Farms. (Photo by Katie Buzdor)