Week Four

This was a weird week, most definitely. I'm learning that every week is different, and this one was hard. Our editor is on vacation now for four weeks, and our pages came in late and wrong on Monday so we didn't get to start layout until noon. Cue Tuesday at county council and I'm supposed to have Friday off since I worked the previous weekend, and all of a sudden you get a two-day workweek with the regular number of assignments. Again, more stories, but here are some of the photos.

School's out! Some of the grade six students at Westmount Elementary in Strathmore, Alberta celebrate on one of the last days of classes. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

Jim Cammaert of The Fireworks Factory near Rockyford displays some of the fireworks that are set to light up the night sky at the Canada Day celebrations in Strathmore. Cammaert says it will be the biggest ever done in the town, with thousands of fireworks set to go off in an extravagant display lasting twenty minutes. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

Fish and Wildlife Officer Garry Shmorong and student Sarah Trettwer show off some of the animals on display at Kinsmen Park during the annual fishing derby on Saturday, June 25. The Fish and Wildlife Division was on hand to give out fishing licences and show the public some examples of wildlife in the area. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

And just for fun, a Saturday drive led to me cavorting with cattle...

A cow grazes in a field east of Strathmore. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

My nephew James turned 6 on Saturday. This one didn't make the paper...Photo by Rachel Psutka.

Week Three

This past week was challenging and I learned a lot about sports reporting, as our sports reporter was on vacation and I was the fill-in.

It was a better mix of articles and photos, but I struggled with procrastination on the writing front and ended up with only a couple of hours of sleep last night to finish a few articles, one of which didn't even run.

I also had my most interesting day of shooting so far, with the World Chicken Dance Championships out at Blackfoot Crossing at Siksika Nation. The colours and regalia are so fantastic to see, plus I happened to meet a Calgary Herald photographer on her day off, who helped me out and just generally gave great encouragement. Special thanks to Leah Hennel on this first shot, she held the flash and gave me advice on how to position the young chicken dancer who was so willing to help out.

DeMarcus Pacheco, 10, of the Yakama Nation, came all the way from Spokane, Washington to compete in the 4th Annual World Chicken Dance Championship at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park on Saturday, June 18. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY 

Two-year-old Hunter Deerfoot of the Blood Tribe near Lethbridge gets a helping hand in the grand entry of the 4th Annual World Chicken Dance Championship at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park on Saturday, June 18. Dancers came from as far as California to compete in the traditional chicken dance. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

Emma Wolper, a graduate of Holy Cross Collegiate, is off to North Idaho College on a two-year volleyball scholarship. Wolper finished school a semester early and is looking forward to playing volleyball at the college level. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

Strathmore High School student Shelby Lausen is off to North Idaho College on a two-year volleyball scholarship. The 18 year old Carseland native is excited to play volleyball at the college level. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

Russell Warrack (far right) and Brandon Freeman (centre) of the Junior B Tier 2 Venom chase after Tanner Rennich of the Cranbrook Elite at the Venom's last home game of the season on Sunday, June 19. The game ended in an 8-8 tie, putting the Venom's season at a 5-5-1 record. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

Week Two

It was a writing-heavy week, with Friday off because I worked the previous weekend. I only had one photo assignment, but it was pretty fun.

The grade 1C class gets tangled up in a Ukrainian dance at Sacred Heart Academy's year end concert on Wednesday, June 8. The theme of this year's concert was Music Around the World, with students performing music and dancing from various countries around the world. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

The grade 1T class displays the music and culture of China at Sacred Heart Academy's year end concert on Wednesday, June 8. The theme of this year's concert was Music Around the World, with students performing music and dancing from various countries around the world. RACHEL PSUTKA/STRATHMORE STANDARD/QMi AGENCY

I think it'll be a bit more balanced this week.