Audio Postcard
College Musicians
Many students are encouraged to get involved musically during high school and junior high. But what about college?
William Jewel freshman Kylee Newton discusses how she fell in love with playing piano and where it has brought her today.
Five Photo
Playing with Intensity
Every weekend of spring, summer, and fall there are tournaments going on in and around Kansas City at Lone Elm, Hidden Valley, Adair, etc. On Saturday, April 14, 2018 Kearney Intensity chose to try out their skill at one of ASA's tournaments at Hidden Valley Softball Complex in Blue Springs, Missouri.
This tournament was 14 open, meaning Kearney Intensity (a 14B team) was playing teams of all calibers. The team's first 60 minute pool game was at 9:00 a.m., which for most families meant wake up at 6:00 a.m., leave by 7:00 a.m., and be there by 8:00 a.m. for warm-ups. Their last game of the day was determined by how far they advanced in the bracket; and it ended up being at 6:00 p.m. Bracket games last for 70 minutes, which means these families did not return home until 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. Although, when asked, all of these parents will say it's more than worth it to see their kids play a game they love.
Kearney Intensity has 11 players, all ages 12 or 13, who have been friends for a while. When asked about her teammates, Alli Poage, 13, said, "They frustrate me [during games], but I love 'em afterwards."
Spending so many days together at fields closed in by 200 foot fences, sprayed with muddled white lines, and surrounded by the smell of dust and grass brings them together in a new way each season. This tournament was different due to the low temperature, which stayed at 39° the whole day. In the stands the parents brought sleeping bags, blankets, and one even brought a tent to stay warm. On the field the girls did their best to stay warm and were careful to stretch out. Many of the players' bats perform less under cold conditions and one player has had a bat break before due to the cold.
Maybe it was the weather, maybe it was the jitters, but this team did not do so well until their 3:00 p.m. game. That game vs. Riptide ended up being their only win of the day, 9-6. It was their first bracket game, and after that they faced a 14A team that sent them home.
Their first tournament of the season left them with a 1-3 record, freezing fans, and determined coaches.
Kearney Intensity’s players and coaches gather for a huddle before one of their games on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Blue Springs, Mo at Hidden Valley Softball Complex. The team shouted their unique chant before the huddle broke off and all the girls ran to their positions.
Many players on Saturday, April 14, 2018 can be found with handwarmers this cold day at Hidden Valley Softball Complex in Blue Springs, Mo. The entire crowd at the complex grumbled about the unseasonably miserable day.
Rory Perry, 12, finishes her slap on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Hidden Valley Softball Complex in Blue Springs, Mo. Perry began slapping two and a half years ago.
Elysia Hand, 13, looks out onto the field from her team’s dugout on Saturday, April 14, 2018 in Blue Springs, Mo at Hidden Valley Softball Complex. Hand can usually be found at the fence cheering on her teammates.
Taylor Franklin, 13, and Ruby Dunn, 13, find time to play a game besides softball in between bracket play on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Hidden Valley Softball Complex in Blue Springs, Mo. The two seemed to be putting a spin on Pokémon, and yelled, “I choose you!” as they threw the ball to each other.
Real Person
Columbia Places and Their People
Featuring Adam Kissinger of Kaldi's, Dani Perez of Yellow Dog Bookshop and Steve Dillard of Tiger Spirit.
Adam Kissinger makes a cup of coffee at Kaldi’s Coffee on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in Columbia, Mo. Kissinger decided to work there for 2 years because he appreciates the quality of coffee Kaldi’s serves and has worked as a barista before.
Dani Perez sits in Yellow Dog Bookshop in downton Columbia, Mo on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 and reads a book entitled Outlaw Animation to pass the time. After moving to Columbia, Perez applied for the job on a whim because she realized she could see herself “really getting into a bookshop.”
