Coal City Celebration

Coal City player Brendan Nevin celebrates with a flip Tuesday night after a victory over Illiana Christian.

Coal City player Austin Pullara slides safely to third base after trying to steal home Thursday during a game at Ottawa High School against Illiana Christian. Coal City beat Illiana Christian 3-1.

Coal City player Keegan Gagliardo throws a pitch Thursday during a game at Ottawa High School against Illiana Christian. Coal City beat Illiana Christian 3-1.

Coal City player Sean Micetich hits the ball Thursday during a game at Ottawa High School against Illiana Christian. Coal City beat Illiana Christian 3-1.

Coal City players celebrate Thursday night after a 3-1 victory over Illiana Christian.

Last Call for Manteno

Manteno player Kori Fricke is greeted by teammates at home plate after hitting a home run Tuesday at Ottawa High School.

Manteno player Karlie Wenzel runs to first after a bunt hit Tuesday during a game against Providence Catholic.

Manteno players congratulate Providence Catholic players after Tuesdays game at Ottawa High School. Manteno lost the game 4-6.

Herscher Heads to State

Herscher’s Tyler Jarnagin delivers the game-winning hit in a thrilling 1-0 win against Timothy Christian in a Class 2A super-sectional game. Herscher High advanced to the state tournament.

Herscher High School’s Ty Stuart throws a pitch during a pitching duels game Monday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Herscher High School’s Tyler Jarnagin hits the game winning ball Monday at Benedictine University in Lisle during 2A Super-Sectional baseball.

Herscher High School players rush the field to celebrate their win Monday at Benedictine University in Lisle. They defeated Timothy Christian 1-0.

Herscher High School’s Tyler Jarnagin runs to first base after a 2A Super-Sectional baseball game winning hit Monday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Herscher High School players and coaches gather for a team photo with their newly won 2A Super-Sectional plaque Monday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Avenging Lady Trojans

Dwight Township High School Lady Trojans join together on the field Tuesday after a 7-6 win against Hayworth. The team was nocked out of last years sectional title game by Hayworth, but now will be moving on to sectional championships.

Dwight Township High School player LynnDee Hale throws in a hit Tuesday during the Class 1A Sectional semifinal softball game at Dwight Township.

Dwight Township High School players Abby Edwards, left, and Macey Rodosky, show relief after a close play Tuesday during the Class 1A Sectional semifinal softball game at Dwight Township.

Dwight Township High School player Katy Edwards attempts to tag out a Hayworth player Tuesday during the Class 1A Sectional semifinal softball game at Dwight Township.

Dwight Township High School player Kaitlyn Masching hits the ball Tuesday during the Class 1A Sectional semifinal softball game at Dwight Township.

Dwight Township High School player Abby Edwards throws a pitch Tuesday during the Class 1A Sectional semifinal softball game at Dwight Township.

Fightin' Irish End Comets Run

Teammates congratulate Bishop McNamara’s Tyler Hiller after a home run hit Monday during the game against Clifton Central. Bishop McNamara’s Fightin’ Irish won the game 14-0 to end the season for the Clifton Central Comets.

Clifton Central’s Brian Spooner Jr. makes first base Monday during the game against Bishop McNamara.

Clifton Central’s Dave Zell throws a pitch Monday during the game against Bishop McNamara.

Clifton Central Comets players and coaches embrace Monday after a 14-0 lose to the Bishop McNamara’s Fightin’ Irish.

Bishop McNamara players and coachers gather to celebrate Monday after a 14-0 win against Clifton Central.

Major League Mothers Day Support

Cancer survivors, fighters and their families and friends practice opening a giant pink awareness ribbon Sunday morning, before a cross town classic game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The Cubs and White Sox used Sundays game day to honor mothers for Mothers Day and to bring awareness to breast cancer. The game was part of Major League Baseball’s “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative and various proceeds from the day are being donated to continue breast cancer research. The first 5,000 bleacher fans received pink shirts provided by Advocate health and many of the players and team staff donned pink in support.

Kankakee Community College Graduation

Physical Therapist Assistant students cheer for their fellow graduates Saturday during the Kankakee Community College graduation ceremony.

Chauncia Akins, left, and Jenna Arseneau, turn their cap tassels Saturday to signify the closing of the graduation ceremony at Kankakee Community College.

Kankakee Community College students who served in the Military stood for applause Saturday during the KCC graduation ceremony.

Commencement speaker Ed Emerson takes a selfie with the crowd Saturday during the Kankakee Community College graduation. Emerson, a political strategist, told the students “The key to success is to say yes.”

Kankakee Community College students, many with customized caps, listen to the commencement address Saturday during their graduation ceremony.

Kankakee Community College President, Dr. John Avendano, gives his welcoming speech during the commencement ceremony Saturday at Kankakee Community College.

A Daily Journal Stringer

I am excited to be working with the Daily Journal in Kankakee, as a stringer for the summer, before I head off to Portland for graduate school. My first two shoots covered a community college graduation and regional quarterfinal baseball. I look forward to spending some time in a new place and shooting stories out of the numerous towns in the county. 

Short Wanderings in Portland and Mt. Hood

They say Portland is weird, so is it weird to feel quite comfortable there? That comfort may have come from the amazing Airbnb family I stayed with, or the fact that there is vegetarian food around every corner. But really I think it boils down to the trees. Being in a place that so deeply loves its parks and forests is so satisfying. I only had a few days to explore and only met a couple people, but the whole trip I just felt so welcome. It is a place to be yourself and be with nature, that is my kind of place.

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought”        - Translation from The Quran 30-21

    Four long nights of celebrations, traditions, prayers and every bright color imaginable solidified the marriage of Kehkashan Fatima Sajanlal and Mohammed Azhar Mahdi. 

   The first two of these nights involved the bridal Mehndi ceremonies and celebrations. Mehndi is a deep seeded tradition in Indian and Pakistani life and holds even more significance on the nights before a couple is officially married. Kehkashan sat still for almost five hours as her bridal Mehndi was applied to her hands and feet by an artist. The process started hours before guests began to arrive, and the house was full of family and friends by the time it was done. Kehkashan chose to represent both Indian and Pakistani style into her Mehndi and hide her and the grooms initials in the design. 

    The second night of Mehndi celebrations were held in a banquet hall adorned in brightly colored cloth and lights. The bride and groom are both offered gifts from each others families and then music and food becomes the focus of the night. Aside from symbolizing the start of the wedding ceremonies the Mehndi is said to symbolize a pleasant transition in life. 

    On the third night, or the Nikah, the couple is officially wed. Women and children gathered on the main floor of the Islamic Education Center Husaini as the ceremony began, men gathered in the basement and started prayers. The words of the Imam could be heard over the speakers in the room with the women and children. Once the Imam said his peace the men joined the women, and Mohammed joined Kehkashan on stage to sign the marriage contract and complete the marriage. They unveil their faces to each other, or the Aarsi Mushaf Dikhana, and then the celebrations begin. A small celebration and dinner was held on the night of the Nikah hosted by Kehkashan’s family.

    On the last night, during the Valima, the couple hosts their first celebration as husband and wife. The marriage has been made official and the grooms parents have given their final blessing. This night is full of festivities and joy and concludes the long week of wedding ceremonies. 

    Kehkashan and Mohammed have know each other since childhood. Their families have always been connected through their religious community and relationships with mutual family and friends. Through all the tradition and ceremony are just two young people starting their lives together and looking for the tranquility and affection you feel from marrying someone you care deeply about.