Over the past couple of years I've become more connected to the school district that our studio sits in as part of South Tama County High.
Most are probably aware that I'm a quote-unquote "East Marshall Guy." I graduated from there... we live there... my kids go there... our business does all their photography jobs, and have exclusively for a couple of decades... and the former owner for a couple of decades prior to that.
So, naturally... we're connected to the purple and gold... but recently... we've been tugged on by the Columbia blue and black.
Well... we've been the STC prom photographer for six out of the last seven years or so... and as part of that job... I had gotten to know a few ladies that I would call the "Prom Gurus." One of which just so happened to be, Paula Rohach.
I have little doubt that there are many people in the towns that comprise STC that aren't aware of who this lady is. One cannot be associated with anything related to Trojan athletics and not been keenly aware of Mrs. Rohach and her overflowing enthusiasm and civic pride for all things Tama and Toledo. If you haven't heard her scream, "ROCK ON!!" Then you simply have not been to games at STC. ;)
Paula and I have had many discussions prom related, and then last fall... as we were approaching basketball season... another door opened for us. A few of the talented seniors on what was one of the state's elite Class 3A girls basketball teams had insisted on having us come do their team pictures for the first time... and we gladly accepted the assignment. I worked through Paula, and subsequently her husband Larry, who was one of Coach Nate Roberts' assistants, to get things set up and forms distributed... and BAM... things started rolling.
Girls basketball led to wrestling cheerleading... led to basketball cheerleading... led to girls track and yet another prom... and suddenly... my purple stripes were turning blue.
My wife and I wanted to return the favor to the Trojan girls and we showed our support by attending several STC games last winter... and one of the faces that we got to see in the starting lineup every time out... was Jadelyn Rohach.
Truth is... you can't go a single season at that school without seeing this girl donning the STC uniform. I believe she's the only four-sport athlete left on the girls side of things in her senior class. An intimidating force in volleyball... a power forward on a state basketball team... a state qualifier in the 400 meters in track... and a centerfielder with homerun pop in softball... make no mistake... her mom's catch phrase isn't just a cliche'... it's a fact... Jade rocks. :)
My assignment then last Wednesday was to show all that off... in addition to tossing in a little dance, stunning good looks and whole lotta swag.
Not surprisingly, it was yet another in a long line of marathon sessions that we've been shooting of late. Add in a couple "old school collages" and a rain delay of nearly an hour or so... and we were shooting after sun down..... which was ok... because we needed to toss in a little Trojan Tradition at the very end.
Paula had told me a LONG time ago that they had a special image they had wanted to try... but didn't wanna let the cat out of the bag... because to their knowledge... it hadn't been done before... and they wanted to be the first. Being the big dummy that I am... I finally learned what that lighted sign with the "V" on the side of the Trojan gymnasium was... It's their Victory light... and it's been turned on A LOT during Jade's time at the school.... no surprise there... with specimens like that... wins usually aren't far behind.
The day ended in the darkness after Papa Larry showed up and made sure our Victory Light was lit... and I even got a hug from that crazy Rock On lady for my efforts...
Victory indeed.
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