Thanks to our volunteers

As I explained at the beginning of the fall sports season, this paper has dedicated itself to expanding our sports coverage.
While we still cover the same four schools: Byron, Hayfield, K-M, and Triton, the way we cover sports has expanded.
For example we have worked hard to incorporate more feature stories, have expanded the amount of pages we have to allow for more photos, have incorporated a new series giving space to activities directors to promote the often untold stories of athletics and activities, and much more.
We have also been able to work with our sister paper the Steele County Times more closely. Johnnie Phillips is one of the most talented and dedicated sports editors in the region. We are very fortunate to have him contribute photos and stories from time to time.
In addition, I’ve also worked with contacts I have from previous papers, and with Eli Lutgens the owner of multiple papers in the area to make sure we can all share content, specifically photos. This has allowed us to have photos when we may normally not have been able to have someone at a road game.
This is my first year in a sports editor role, and despite some time spent when I was cutting my teeth in St. James, I have spent the vast majority of my career only covering news.
I appreciate all the coaches, athletes, and administrators who have been patient with me.
But the most important thanks I need to give is to our dedicated team of volunteer photographers. I tell people often I have never seen a more robust group of volunteers at any newspaper I’ve worked at in my 10 year career.
When I began my career, as a unpaid contributor for the Boston Herald, during my college years, covering the 2016 Presidential election, I never once complained despite the sometimes 16 hour days because I loved what I was doing.
I think the same can be said about our volunteers. Week after week their photos appeared in this paper, without a single complaint.
Thank you truly, to Mary Nelson, Karen Loughran, Angie Richards, Kristin Knudson, Jessica Simonson, Tayte Severson, and Aden Ronken for your help during the fall season. When making lists, there’s sure to be someone missed and if I did I apologize.
As we start our winter season, the majority of our team will be taking photos again, and we have added some as well. Whether you’re a hobby photographer, professional, or want to try taking sports photos this winter season please reach out to me at DCI@kmtel.com