I began my journey in the world of Mass Media in the spring semester of 2017 and have been completely obsessed with it ever since. Starting out as a Managing Editor for Wingspan, I was able to dive into journalism and found a passion in writing. As a tri-editor for Wingspan, I am excited to be exposed to the many opportunities the subject of Mass Media provides. My overall plan is to leave Laramie County Community College with invaluable experience and enroll at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. I hope to graduate with a bachelor in Mass Communications. In regards to my future profession and area of emphasis I am still in the deciding stages. I hope with the continuation of my studies I will stumble upon what I am meant to do in the amazing-chaotic life of a journalist.
Down in the lower level of the Student Union, facility services welcomed a new member to the mail room last fall but he and his family are no strangers to the halls of Black Hills State University.
Jim Roberts accepted the position as Lead Mail Processor last August and previously worked in custodial services and grounds keeping. After being the Grounds Crew Leader Specialist, Roberts said he decided to take the mail room position because he saw the job description and felt it was a good fit. He said he enjoys interacting with the staff and students, along with dealing with the challenges of managing.
Jim Roberts operates the mail processor and looks up an address for a package. Roberts became Lead Mail Processor last fall. Photo by Jenna Piper
“I like being a smiling face at the window every day that people can come to,” Roberts said. “After being a student here, I know how much you need a smiling face some days. Somebody that is there to listen and encourage you and make sure that you get your packages from home or help you out.”
Debbie Liddick, assistant director of facilities and sustainability, said that Roberts was able to quickly learn the different processes, programs and billing in the mailroom. She also said that he is able to multi-task and focuses on ensuring the mailroom operates smoothly.
“Jim makes a point to ‘get to know’ the regular students and staff who visit the mailroom window ensuring they feel important and appreciated,” Liddick said. “He consistently answers the phone and service window with a smile and a friendly hello.”
Jim Roberts helps a student at the window of Mail Services located in the lower level of the Student Union. Photo by Jenna Piper
Roberts’ history with BHSU started in the fall of 1974 when he and his wife Cindy enrolled in pursuit of teaching degrees. Roberts switched his choice of study to criminal justice while his wife majored in elementary education.
From there, Roberts landed a position with the Belle Fourche Police Department and later became a deputy sheriff for Butte County. After years of working in law enforcement, Roberts said he started a landscaping business but took a job as a compressor operator and specialist for Montana Dakota Utilities since it was one of the best paying jobs in the county at the time.
Jim Roberts and student worker James Lauer sit in the mail room working on the computers. Facility Services hires students to help with mail room processes and Roberts oversees those students.
In 1992, Roberts and his wife helped start the Solid Rock Church in Spearfish, and in 1994 Roberts moved to Spearfish with his family and became a licensed pastor with a landscaping business on the side. After 20 years of running his own business, Roberts accepted his first position at BHSU in 2014.
Roberts said that BHSU has changed since he attended school in the 70s; a time he recalled as being “turbulent” with Vietnam protests and hippies. He described the campus as being more liberal and said that his observation might have been based on his conservative upbringing. Now, Roberts said he feels BHSU is more conservative in the sense that it is more balanced and that people with different viewpoints are understood and respected.
A woman teaches her puppy to play fetch on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at the dog park next to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. The park is wide open field that allows people to bring their furry animals to get some exercise. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This is the very first photo I took in my internship. Blaine had me practicing shooting features without getting any information. He wanted to see where my skill level was and how I saw life through a camera lens. Blaine really liked this photo and said it would be a great start to my portfolio.
A sunset stretches above I25 on Monday, June 4, 2018. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This is another practice photo Blaine had me take and it was one of my first assignments from him to get a couple environmental photos along with photos of animals and people. This photo was taken at the lake at Lions park and I took this photo because I liked how the water reflected everything in the photo. You can never beat a Wyoming sunset.
Pelicans take a morning swim on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Sloans Lake at Lions Park. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This was part of my practice assignment and I captured pelicans swimming on the lake but I thought this photo was interesting because it was during the time of year when cotton is flying rampant. That is why you can see little speckles of white flying around in the photo. I also thought the lighting made the lake sparkle.
A boy walks with his toy sword and shield on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Cheyenne Celtic Festival. The festival had vendors and traditional Scottish highland games. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo including the following two are photos I took during my first scheduled event. It was the Cheyenne Celtic festival and I went along with Jake to observe what he shot and how he interacted with people. He also asked me to take photos that way he could critique them and help me for when I officially when on an assignment for the paper.
A crowd of participants march to the beat of bagpipes on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Cheyenne Celtic Festival. The festival had vendors and traditional Scottish highland games. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleA leprechaun gives a smile and wave on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at the Cheyenne Celtic Festival. The festival had vendors and traditional Scottish highland games. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EalgeA man sits outside the Paramount Cafe and plays his guitar on Monday, June 11, 2018 in downtown Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo of a man with the guitar and the woman watering flowers were my last practice photos and when Blaine saw these he said I was ready to take photos for the paper. The man with the guitar actually had a dog waiting patiently in front of him as he played in front of the cafe. The way he looked with his tattoos, guitar and dog I thought it looked very artistic.
A woman waters flowers outside a business on Monday, June 11, 2018, in downtown Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleZoe Anderson, right, watches her teammate Abby Roberts race the clock as she creates an image using pancake batter Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne. Around eight participants showed up to the event to try their hand at drawing with pancake batter. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This was my first official assignment that the paper sent me on and I was in charge of getting a feature photo. The library was having a drawing contest with pancake batter and kids at the library participated. It was great first assignment because kids are fairly easy to interact with and the event was enjoyable to watch. This photo was featured in the paper.
A man looks at artistic glass pieces on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at the Rebel Junk Market. Many vendors at the market displayed various types of antique decor, jewelry and furniture. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo happened by accident. I was sent to an antique show and unfortunately when I took the shot I assumed it was not good and I brushed off getting the gentleman’s name. When I got back to the office and began editing the photos I realized that this was a great photo with some cropping and I was hitting my head against the desk (literally). This is when Blaine told me that an old friend once told him that a bad photo is one not taken. In other words, always get the information not matter what because you never know the potential of the photos you take.
Marley Hudson, 10, take his turn riding the mechanical bull during Superday on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Lions Park. This year marked the 36th Annual HollyFrontier Superday where people were provided with arts and crafts, commercial and organization booths, and a children’s carnival. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo and the following three are of Super Day at Lions Park. This was one of my favorite events to shoot because the endless photo opportunities and adorable children. It was a good day to push myself to get different angles and practice going up to people and ask for names because a majority of the photos I took were of children so I had to interact with the parents and ask for permission.
Kara Duncan, 4, races back to grab the next inflatable doughnut during Superday on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Lions Park. This year marked the 36th Annual HollyFrontier Superday where people were provided with arts and crafts, commercial and organization booths, and a children’s carnival. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleMartin Garcia, 4, spends his birthday inside an inflatable walking water ball during Superday on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Lions Park. This year marked the 36th Annual HollyFrontier Superday where people were provided with arts and crafts, commercial and organization booths, and a children’s carnival. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleA pops giant bubbles during Superday on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Lions Park. This year marked the 36th Annual HollyFrontier Superday where people were provided with arts and crafts, commercial and organization booths, and a children’s carnival. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleCheyenne Post 6’s Travis Onisto pitches against the opponent during the game between the Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and the Greeley (Colorado) GoJo’s at Powers Field on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
The following photos are a series of me shooting the Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and it was hands down my favorite event to shoot. The challenge of getting the ball in the photo pushed me to not only capture the moment but make sure the player was posed in a good position. I loved playing with lightening at these event because they were typically at dusk which called for knowledge of ISO and aperture.
Post 6’s catcher waits for the pitcher to throw the ball during the game between the Cheyenne American Legion Post 6 and the Greeley (Colorado) GoJo’s at Powers Field on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This is my pride and joy. Out of all the photos I took during the internship when I saw this one I fell in photography love. The lighting made the photo unique and there are small details that keep me looking such as the sunlight reflecting off the catchers helmet and his blurred teammates in the background.
Royce Adams, 6, and his brother Ryal Adams, 4, stopped to play with their toy vehicles on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Holliday Park.The boys made use of a cement block at the park to drive around their trucks and motorcycles. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
After driving around town for nearly three hours I had almost given up hope on finding a feature for the paper until finally I decided to stop at Holliday Park and catch a breather because I was starting to get nervous and lose my sanity. As I walking around the park with my camera I spotted these two boys playing with their trucks on the cement block that surrounded at tree. It turned out to be one of my favorite feature photos published in the paper because it was photo that I earned after having drove around for three hours.
Cheyenne American Legion Post 6’s Trey Trimble pitches during the game between the Post 6 and Jefferson Academy at Powers Field on Saturday, July 7, 2018, in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleCheyenne American Legion Post 6’s Sam McIntosh goes up to bat and hits the baseball during the game between the Post 6 and Jefferson Academy at Powers Field on Saturday, July 7, 2018, in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleCheyenne American Legion Post 6’s Sam McIntosh catches a ball bouncing off the base during the game between the Post 6 and Jefferson Academy at Powers Field on Saturday, July 7, 2018, in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleWyoming Department of Criminal Investigation. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo was interesting to take to say the least and an experience that made me feel like a true photographer. Jake needed a building mug of the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation and when I arrived the parking lot was empty. Something felt wrong about taking photos of the DCI building because at any moment I felt some type of law enforcement was going to come out asking why I was at their facility taking photos. While no law enforcement ever came out of the building I am sure to this day that a surveillance video of me was scanned for a possible threat.
Cheyenne American Legion Post 6s pitcher Dawson MaCleary pitches against the Casper Oilers during the Continental American Baseball tournament Saturday, July 15, 2018, at Powers Field in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleCheyenne American Legion Post 6s Cody Brooks catches the ball, forcing an out on a runner on first base against the Casper Oilers during the Continental American Baseball tournament Saturday, July 15, 2018, at Powers Field in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleCheyenne Frontier Days volunteers help guide nearly 550 head of Corriente steers from the pasture north of I-25 down Hynds Boulevard on Sunday, July 15, 2018. People gathered as early as 7 a.m. on the side of highway to watch the event.
This photo and the following three are of the cattle drive before Cheyenne Frontier Days. It was this event that made me truly appreciate photographers because while everyone was bundled up in coats and blankets I was out in the mist trying to capture as many photos as possible before I had to stop and wipe my lens to get a clear photo. That is why the photo with the cowboys and the interstate in the background is fuzzy because that was when it actually starting raining and I was hauling a 400mm lens. However I got some really neat photos and felt like a true photographer with sopping hair and a need for hot coffee afterwards.
One of the 550 head of Corriente steers from the pasture north of I-25 stop to eat grass on the side of Hynds Boulevard on Sunday, July 15, 2018. People gathered as early as 7 a.m. on the side of highway to watch the Cattle Drive.Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteers help guide nearly 550 head of Corriente steers from the pasture north of I-25 down Hynds Boulevard on Sunday, July 15, 2018. People gathered as early as 7 a.m. on the side of highway to watch the event.Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteers help clear the highway as nearly 550 head of Corriente steers from the pasture north of I-25 down Hynds Boulevard follow behind them on Sunday, July 15, 2018. People gathered as early as 7 a.m. on the side of highway to watch the event.Deb Frasier from Dublin, Texas, competes in the barrel racing event during the first day of slack at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Monday, July 16, 2018, at Frontier Park Arena in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo and the following three are of my first experience shooting rodeo. I got to shoot slack barrel racing at CFD and it was a great day because I got to walk all around the arena and capture different angles of the barrel racers. I got a nice sun burn and some pretty awesome shots out of the deal and I more than happy with how they turned out.
Ali Armstrong from Lexington, Oklahoma, competes in the barrel racing event during the first day of slack at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Monday, July 16, 2018, at Frontier Park Arena in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleLacey Scott from Madison, Alabama, competes in the barrel racing event during the first day of slack at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Monday, July 16, 2018, at Frontier Park Arena in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleKari Boxleitner from Loveland, Colorado, competes in the barrel racing event during the first day of slack at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Monday, July 16, 2018, at Frontier Park Arena in Cheyenne. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune EagleTroy Groendal, Cheyenne, practices throwing his disc before meeting with his disc golf league on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the Laramie County Community College. Groendal has been playing disc golf for 16 years and has participated in tournaments located in the Rocky Mountains where over 300 were in attendance. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This was my last feature that I took for the paper. I was sent feature hunting and within 30 minutes I drove into LCCC and saw this man with a bag of frisbee discs. He seemed to be taking it pretty seriously so I stopped and talked to him and found out he actually does it for sport and participates in large tournaments around the area. He was a neat man and it was moments like this I was glad I took the internship because I still got to be a journalist and ask questions about people lives and find out why they do the things they do. But instead of putting a person life into words I got to capture it with a photo.
Zach Puls, “California Joe Milner”, takes a break from character during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Monday, July 23, 2018, at Old Frontier Town at Frontier Park. Puls and others dress up as characters from the old west and walk up and down Old Frontier Town for the public to see. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
I got sent to take pictures of the old western characters that walked around Old Frontier Town and these people had some interesting stories to tell and some of them had been doing it for decades. They all had their own costumes and came up with their own names and capturing their characters was a fun challenge.
Cowboy medics Heather Skirvin, Erik Pingel, Molly Farrand and Kelly Ireland stand together after the rodeo ends at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Frontier Park Arena. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
As a last minute request Blaine asked if I could go down to the arena during the end of one of the rodeos and get picture of the cowboy medics. This was a great experience because this is where the journalist in me had to talk to people who knew people in order for me to get to the cowboy medics. I had to take a golf cart, sneak past a couple CFD volunteers and ask a couple of wild horse racers who the medics were. As you can see from the photo above the medics are just one stretcher and a pair of blue gloves from looking like an average Joe at CFD.
Austin Gartner, 11, from Chelmsford, Massachusetts stands in the chutes before the rodeo on a Behind the Chutes Tour during Cheyenne Frontier Days Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the Frontier Park Arena. People are able to see the animals participating in rodeo events and walk across the arena before and after the big shows during the tours. Jenna Piper/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
This photo was a challenge to take because visitors were only allowed a minimum of five minutes to take photos in the chutes so I had to hurry and take a good photo and quickly grab the names of the people so they could continue the tour. It was the fastest shoot I ever experienced and was nervous to see what I had got when I got back to the office. But when I saw this photo I knew I had done my job well. Blaine said in any photo if you can get the logo of CFD it will be a good one. I loved the expression on his face because to me it looks like he is taking in the moment of being in chutes where some of the worlds greatest bull riders have been.
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