Candlelight Vigil

Centre Daily Times Photo By Michelle Bixby

Manju Jain, of India, places candles on the walkway outside Old Main to form the letter "A" in "peace" Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, during a candlelight vigil dedicated to the victims of the Mumbai Massacre.

Election Day Polling 2008

Centre Daily Times Photos by Michelle Bixby

I spent yesterday into early this morning photographing the chaos of yesterday's historical election and today's emotional celebration. I visited several polling places with lines hours long full of dedicated, determined voters willing to wait to cast their ballots. I have never witnessed such unity in my life. I am proud of America for not only voting, but coming together and making big decisions.

Obama Celebration

Centre Daily Times Photo by Michelle Bixby

Shannon White, left, celebrates Obama's victory with her best friend Tara Buschor at Penn State's HUB-Robeson Center shortly after Obama made his acceptance speech early on November 5, 2008.

Riot at PSU

Centre Daily Times Photos by Michelle Bixby

After Penn State defeated Ohio State last night, Penn State fans went crazy and began to celebrate in the streets. But the celebration soon turned destructive. For the first two hours of the riot, I was stuck in the newsroom toning football photos and as soon as I was done I raced to downtown State College, parked my car a safe distance away from vandalism and ran full speed to Beaver Avenue. I was amazed at the massive size of the crowd contrasted by the handful of police officers armed with only helmets and pepper spray. I fought my way into an ocean of intoxicated Penn State fans and was amazed at how they made a path for "the chick with the camera!" Thus began my night of pepper spray, cops, and milk. I was in the middle of all the action... Light posts were being torn down, trees and bushes uprooted, trash lit on fire, cars being stood on, and hundreds of Penn State students were sprayed in the face with tons of pepper spray held inside small fire hydrant shaped containers. I was escorted off the road once by an officer who said that just because I have a camera doesn't mean that I was exempt from having to stay on the sidewalk. But, hey, I got some sweet photos, and eventually caught some pepper spray with my face. It was a good night.

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

Local National Guard Company C stands at attention, along with junior high soccer players, during a tribute to them at Bellefonte High School's Rogers Stadium before they deploy to Camp Shelby, Miss. on Thursday, September 11, 2008. CDT/Michelle Bixby.

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

Centre County Commissioner, Rich Rogers becomes emotional after recalling memories of 9/11 during a tribute to local National Guard Company C at Bellefonte High School's Rogers Stadium on Thursday, September 11, 2008, before they deploy to Camp Shelby, Miss. CDT/Michelle Bixby.

Senior Photos

Photo by Michelle Bixby

I remember how ridiculously expensive it was to get my Senior Pictures done. So I offered to save my younger sister, Heather, a ton of money by taking her Senior Pictures myself.

Photo by Michelle Bixby

Heather is 4 years younger than me, but seems to be my little twin. She is always willing to be my model when I need some nice beauty shots. I am proud to say that she and I are best friends.

My Flight 93 Memorial Service Experience

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby
McCain greets supporters at the Flight 93 Memorial Service on September 11, 2008.

Yesterday, being September 11th, I traveled to Shanksville, P.A. to cover the Flight 93 memorial service. John McCain showed up and the memorial service, that was supposed to be a time of reflection and gratitude to those who gave their lives on flight 93, turned into a political rally full of chanting and cheering. I found the crowd's uproar disrespectful and unnecessary.

I work for the Centre Daily Times as a photographer and had to take pictures of McCain as well as some photos of the friends, family, and public paying their respects at the new memorial after McCain left. I was upset that it turned into a political rally. I was, however, impressed with how McCain handled it. It was the public who began chanting his name and cheering for him during the service, and he didn't seem to acknowledge it. Usually the crowds would receive a political wave or peace sign, but he saved that until the service ended and walked over to greet a few supporters before heading to NYC to meet with Obama at Ground Zero.

I do believe that the memorial of 9/11 should have been solely focused on the victims and their loved ones, but I also recognize the fact that the public, and especially the media, expected both Obama and McCain to attend and speak at the public memorials. It is almost an obligation they are expected to fulfill as presidential nominees. If one or both hadn't made an appearance, their lack of attendance would have taken priority over 9/11 media coverage and the victims wouldn't have gotten any of the recognition they deserve.

It is a double edged sword that should be dulled on both sides. The media and the government shouldn't be working for each other, they should be working for the citizens of the United States. I'm not saying that the media is evil, I work for them, but I do think that they could prioritize a bit better. It's a Dog Eat Dog World out there with the media.

In the media's defense, they cover what the majority of public is interested. But then again, everything seems to be hyper sensationalized and it is easy to become obsessed with certain topics and people. It's just a big old vicious cycle huh?

So, in order to do my part as a member of the media, I requested that today's front page feature photos of the victims' loved ones paying their respects at the Flight 93 Memorial rather than photos of McCain giving his speech. The copy desk agreed and the photos I took of McCain ended up in the back of the paper somewhere. While McCain and Obama's appearances for the 9/11 services were newsworthy, they shouldn't have been priority.

Here is the link to the CDT's news website, where an article written by another staff and my photos can be found. The main photo featured ran front page rather than McCain photos. All you have to do is click on the main photo and a gallery of the others will show up.
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/story/835277.html

Flight 93 Memorial

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

Yesterday, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph the Flight 93 Memorial services. I, and some other photographer friends of mine, came across this young boy with such a serious and somewhat haunting disposition. He is 9-year-old, Tyler Artman of Natrona Heights, and was only 2 years old when 9/11 occurred. He can still recall the planes crashing into the 2 towers. September 11th was such a horrific event that it dramatically impacted an innocent 2-year-old enough to still haunt him seven years later. It gives me chills.


Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

Senator John McCain spoke at the service. Some people attending the memorial service began chanting his name as if it were a political rally, which I thought was disrespectful to the families and friends of the Flight 93 victims, because the purpose of September 11th is to honor the heroes, not to rally for a presidential nominee.

Grange Fair Livestock Auction

Centre Daily Times photo by Michelle Bixby

During my coverage of the Grange Fair Jr Livestock Auction, I came across many children crying because they'd become attached to the hogs they raised for 5 months.

Front Page of the Centre Daily Times

This is the second time my images have been on the front page of the CDT.