Timothy Suitt looks in on the crowd before entering his graduation ceremony at New Horizons Academy of Excellence on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (The Herald-Sun | Lauren A. Vied)

This summer, I had the wonderful opportunity of interning at The Herald-Sun, a community paper in Durham, N.C. I was able to shoot a lot of different assignments from heat features to sports to the American Dance Festival (oh, and let's not forget every graduation in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Roxboro). It was definitely rewarding getting to learn about Durham, how a real-life newspaper works, and getting to spend office time with Christine and Bernard, by far the coolest photographers you'll ever meet. The next few blog posts are some of what I consider my best shots of the summer, some which ran and some which didn't, so consider this a special series of unseen footage!

D'Andre Bagley, far right, romps around before walking into the graduation ceremony as his classmate Jerchelle Green, far left looks on at New Horizons Academy of Excellence on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. (The Herald-Sun | Lauren A. Vied)

Abigail Mangum, a fifth grader, pulls hard during a game of tug of war during field day at Hope Valley Elementary on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Hope Valley is one of seven Durham schools that will be honored by Former President Bill Clinton for its efforts to combat child obesity by promoting healthy eating, wellness and physical activity. (The Herald-Sun | Lauren A. Vied)

From left, fifth graders Zykira Justice, Dahlia Neblett and Emma Carter, get doused with water after the well water relay race during field day at Hope Valley Elementary on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. Hope Valley is one of seven Durham schools that will be honored by Former President Bill Clinton for its efforts to combat child obesity by promoting healthy eating, wellness and physical activity. (The Herald-Sun | Lauren A. Vied)

Reece Carson celebrates after teeing-off at the seventh hole during the Herald-Sun Golf Classic on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Hillandale Golf Course. (The Herald-Sun | Lauren A. Vied)

Hope you enjoyed!

Be on the lookout for more blog posts with images I shot this summer!

Hearts for Dance

Since the spring, Tess Allen has been planning a dance workshop. A dance workshop for those who would not otherwise, ever put on a tutu (to sleeping in their tutus), ballet shoes and tightly wrap a bun on their head. Hearts for Dance sponsored 12 hispanic girls, ages 3-10, from Wayne County and made all their ballerina dreams come true. With the help of my mom, Saralynn, along with Kelly Pfau, Hannah Neiman, Michelle Estrada, Tess' mom, Donna Allen, and the studios of Artistic Dance Academy this workshop became an inspirational week for all. Tess shared her love of God, dance, and her compassion with these 12 girls, and I do believe it shows in grand amounts.

Tess gained 12 little friends this week. From lessons on the bar, to learning choreography, eating healthy snacks, coloring, and playing "freeze dance," she truly earned the love of all these little ballerinas.

To see the article from the Goldsboro News-Argus, please visit "Ballet Dreams" by Ken Fine.

Psalm 149:3-"Let them praise His name with dancing!"