Cinderella in Sneakers

The date was July 29, 2002. I'm on Terry and Julie Gray's farm in rural Toledo. It's another early morning session and I'm waiting on South Tama senior Zeb Gray to change clothes. I'm just standing in the driveway... by myself... when out pops a young gal.

A blonde haired, blue eyed little tomboy, without hesitation, marches over and looks up and says...

"What's YOUR name, Mister?"

I had myself a new ten year old friend.

Eight years later and three full seniors under my belt from the Gray family, and it was the baby of the family's turn for senior pictures.

Oh, the little runt now looks me right in the eye (maybe a little taller, even when she wears heels) and she's grown into an impressive young lady. You name it, she does it. Tama County Beef Queen, she dances, she shows at fair, helps on the farm, plays vollyeball, track... and, oh by the way, the Times-Republican tells me she's the best basketball player in the entire area. I asked her if there was anything else she does that she's not telling me about!

Clearly basketball is what most know this gal for. She's as decorated as they come and, as usual, I put pressure on myself to just give her career justice in images. Forgive the hoops overkill in this blog, but we did something unique yesterday as we used East Marshall's old gym to try something different. A Cinderella in sneakers, Tara's mom had asked me this winter if it was something do-able. Judging from the results. I'd say mission possible. The tip of the hat to Michael Jordan is one my all-time favorite images.

We had a steer, lambs, Gizmo the puppy, an El Camino, sister Brianna paid us a visit for some images together, the roadie to LeGrand... I'm probably forgetting something... All in all... a FULL day... with many shades of Gray.