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Our 32nd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 28 • July 11, 2024 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408

POSITIVE NEWS

Spending the Summer of 2024 photographing the Owls Illinois college student also in Army National Guard Article By: Jean Gordon. While in Poland when not on duty, her team enjoyed traveling to the nearby city, touring and A photography student at Southern Illinois eating authentic Polish food. University in Carbondale, Illinois, and a member of As a member of the Illinois Army National Guard, the Illinois Army National Guard, is spending her Nicole said her college professors are really summer of 2024 in Forest City, photographing the understanding. “Sometimes there will be some Coastal Plain League’s Forest City Owls. conflicts (with schedules) but we usually get things Nicole Fox, 22, said she began applying for done before.” sports photography internships last winter and The educational benefits offered by the National was contacted by the Owls management and Guard are the biggest things she considered when offered the job. She applied to 20 teams and was she decided to join. “In Illinois, you do not have to interviewed by eight teams, she said. pay tuition if you go to a state supported school,” “I’m glad I came to the Owls,” she said.“I love Nicole said. doing this,” Nicole said, adding she doesn’t have “It’s a new experience, discipline, work ethic a favorite sport, but instead enjoys “whatever is are also a big part of the reason I joined. It’s such happening during that season.” a different experience from everyday life. I get Nicole is following the Owls throughout the to interact with so many other people and it’s a season. different aspect of life,” she said. As the photographer for the Owls, Nicole said Nicole isn’t sure what she’ll do after college. If she must focus on the main thing happening at a Nicole Fox photographing the Forest City Owls with her wise investment she decides to stay with photographing sporting - a Canon. Pat Nanney photo. given time. events, she may not be able to remain in the “It’s the decisive moment, you’re looking for like, Nicole tries to keep herself from making an error a home run, fan engagement, cheering. I look for with her photography, “but sometimes you feel like National Guard, due to conflicting schedules. While in Rutherford County she’s visited and things like composition and design.” you missed out on the best shot.” photographed scenes in Chimney Rock State Park, She’s tried to improve her knowledge of the “I think you can combine a great decisive and the Pisgah Forest and Broad River Greenway game over the summer in Forest City. moment, good lighting, good composition and all while enjoying hiking and waterfalls. “I am getting better about being able to anticipate that comes together for a good shot,” she said. Photography wasn’t always what she thought what is going to happen next. I’ve been able to do When not engaged in sports photography and she’d study and or have a career. that the last few games, looking at who is on the her college life at Southern Illinois, Nicole serves “I actually started doing this during my junior and bases and where they’re going to throw the ball,” as a member of the Army National Guard, having senior years of high school being on the yearbook she said recently. joined in 2019. Just before arriving in Rutherford The best thing about her work is “when the Owls County, she was in Poland for her company’s staff,” she said. After that she was hooked. Nicole is the daughter of Dean and Kim Fox of win, for sure.” annual two week training. Illinois and has three younger brothers. Nicole said it is bothersome sometimes if “You Officers in her company applied for the training While in Rutherford County this summer, she miss out on something big, even when trying your in Poland and were granted the mission. is living with Isothermal Community College best and you still don’t get the best shot.” “We were able to do some really great and President, Dr. Margaret Annunziata and her family. “Sometimes I am focused on the batter and I am unique stuff,” she said. “They are super sweet,” she said. not ready for someone to steal a base,” she said.

Nicole photographs a batter.

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Nicole with Army National Guard classmate Mengyuan Zhou during occupational training In 2020. Contributed photo.