My passion for storytelling and connecting with people translated into a path in photojournalism. The unexpected element of what may happen at an event or story keeps me on my toes, ready to move around to capture the right angle to tell the story.
Community organizers gather outside of the Virginia Science Museum in Richmond, Va, protesting eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Protestors ride on Broad St. with “NO EVICTIONS it’s inhumane to evict in a PANDEMIC” signs strung on the front of bikes. 
Community members participated in the first annual RVA Splashfest hosted by VCU Alumni. 
Richmond City firefighters brought water to the first annual RVA Splashfest hosted by VCU Alumni. 
VCU Men’s Soccer defeated ETSU 1-0. 
VCU Field Hockey played against ODU on September 15. 
Ta-Nehisi Coates visited the Virginia Museum of History and Culture to speak about emancipation and race as a stop on his book tour. 
Audience member captures a photo of Ta-Nehisi Coates at a talk about emancipation and race. 
VCU Volleyball defeated NC State 3-0. 
Participants unload costume props and puppets to be used in the annual Oregon Hill parade. 
Participants cross Main Street as the annual Oregon Hill parade begins. 
Opening night of ICA new exhibit “Great Force” focused on subjects of black and white racial inequality. 
Gallery viewer, Chuck Bleick, listens to Mores McWreath’s Spots video series presented within a sculptural case.
Behind the Screen
Dow Jones News Fun 2020 Digital Media
Students and teachers have been at home since Gov. Ralph Northam announced the closure of all Virginia schools in March. As school moves into their home and online, how is the community adjusting? This photo series explores the experiences of students and teachers in Prince George County, Virginia, as they learn, work and coexist at home.
Learning from Home Eighth-grader Jonathan Oppong said he spends an average of two hours a day working on school assignments. Teachers send new assignments on a weekly basis; students access assignments online or guardians can pick up paper packets from the school, he said. “At first it was kind of weird. Slowly but surely, I adjusted to it,” Oppong said. “Most of the time, in math class, my teacher was out during the year so we would have to learn from videos of her teaching. She has been doing the same thing, so it wasn’t as hard as it might have been for other students.” 
Beth Andersen teaches honors and Advanced Placement English classes at Prince George High School. The Prince George County school system offered paper packets for parents to pick up for students to continue learning. Andersen needed to find ways to energize herself because she draws energy from being around students and colleagues. “My kids mourned the loss of the school year mostly, yes, because they’re seniors but I think also just school,” Andersen said. “For the first two weeks it was just, ‘Oh yeah, it’s spring break.’ When there was a realization we were not coming back, I, for four hours straight, was messaging on Remind back and forth with my students. They were asking ‘what are we going to do? We can’t stop crying.’ It was heart-wrenching.” 
While learning from home, fifth-grader Mireya Rackley communicates with her teacher through Google Classroom to access and send assignments. Rackley works on a paper packet of assignments if she completes her online homework early. “We do Zoom meetings, too. I see my friends there. Sometimes I teach myself and sometimes my mom helps me,” Rackley said. “I like going to school because if there is a math question, they [teachers] will work it out for us.” 
Chris Waugaman teaches Advanced Placement Language and Composition and the student media journalism classes at Prince George High School. Waugaman teaches photojournalism, broadcast, and print journalism classes that make up Royals Media. Ever since Gov. Ralph Northam closed Virginia schools, Waugaman has not let a school day go by without sending a message to his students. “At the beginning of this, I thought ‘Hey, we’re ready for this,’ especially with the way [Royals Media] does things with eDesign,” Waugaman said. “With that journalism class, we can function outside the classroom. Now, that’s not to say everyone has the same resources in that group. We feel confident in the fact that we have things set up so we don’t have to be together.” 
Prince George High School senior Orisha Gist works long hours but now has to also balance school work from home. Prince George County finalized grades for students during the third quarter, but students were given a two week period from April 20 to May 1 as an opportunity to submit assignments to improve their grades. Gist is enrolled in dual enrollment classes for college credit and needs to finish those courses and take the final exams, just as she would during the school year. “It’s been tough switching to only online and without a teacher helping you,” Gist said. “Now, it’s motivation to help yourself learn with what you have at home and at hand … It’s hard, harder than I expected.” 
This is a family of teachers and students made up of MaryEllen Flickinger (left), Sylvia Flickinger (center) and David Flickinger (right). MaryEllen teaches fourth grade in Prince George County and David teaches algebra I and physics in Colonial Heights. As teachers, they have encouraged Sylvia to continue learning. “We have a little corner table in the front living room that my husband and I both share since we both teach. He’ll sit there for a while, then we’ll swap out and it’s my turn to sit down and teach my class,” MaryEllen said. “And when we have our own children to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing, it’s a lot. It’s not anything that’s normal. Nothing is normal. But we are making it work.” 
Senior Macie Blankenship had to adjust to learning online when Gov. Ralph Northam announced the closure of all Virginia schools. Blankenship began to create her own schedule on her computer’s calendar in order to keep a routine. “It was kind of hard because I am not a good online learner. I have to be in front of someone to learn — kind of hands-on learning,” Blankenship said. “I am one of the kinds of people who needs a set schedule just like how I would get up in the morning, I would go to school, I would be in class from this time to this time. I really had to sit down and think of a place inside my house or outside I could go that was quiet and I could focus.” 
Siblings Usra Jabri (left) and Amar Jabri (right) are at home during the coronavirus pandemic. The pair of siblings in eighth and tenth grade, respectively, motivate each other to do their school work even though there may be distractions around the house. “I’ve had to be more responsible with myself. I have to tell myself to sit down … and split my day into half work and half do what I want. I think I’ve adapted and just learned how to time manage myself. I’ve learned to be prepared and be independent,” Usra said. “I miss the atmosphere — just being in school.”
wessam hazaymeh 