I never wanted Spearfish to be my home. Growing up, I despised the 40-minute drive down the most boring interstate in the country only to walk around downtown and city park with my parents, who I also despised at the time. BHSU was a joke to me. It was a school that was chosen when there were no other options. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The drive up to Spearfish the day of my tour was just as boring as any of the other numerous trips I’ve taken with my parents. “You’re going to love it, keep an open mind,” my parents said to me. It took zero effort to tune them out and open my mind to the drive back home to Rapid.
Everything changed that day with my introduction to Skott Chandler and Allen Morris. While walking around and through the photo department I was shown the possibilities provided at BHSU and the truly caring nature of the professors. I told them my dream of becoming a cinematographer.
“The best cinematographers start as even better photographers,” Chandler said.
I think back to that tour regularly and how the rest of my career started on that day. In fact, I can pinpoint the exact moment.
“My favorite director working today is Robert Eggers, do you know Robert Eggers?” Chandler said.
The look on my face told him all he needed to know. I applied and got accepted later that same week.
Then came Ponder, an idea from Dr. Justin Bergh and pitched to me in the darkroom after a photo critique. I was brought on as a photographer for the first issue and had no idea what to expect. Little did I know, this little school magazine would consume most of my time and become an integral part of my college career.
The community Ponder fostered has taught me lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. There is nothing more rewarding than working together with like-minded students, forming lifelong friendships and creating a product at the end of each semester that I couldn’t be more proud to put my name on.
I want to give a huge thanks to everyone who has been a part of Ponder the last year, most notably Noah Westergaard and Nathan Feller. Noah and I went to high school together, but never spoke a word to each other. The exact opposite is true now. The late nights and long hours have finally paid off.
I am forever grateful for the immense dedication put forward by everyone on staff and the truly remarkable work we have produced for Issue Three.
Justin Bergh, Skott Chandler and Allen Morris, I don’t know where I would be without the support and friendships I have formed with each of you. Thank you for believing in me and presenting opportunities like Ponder for us all. Finally, to my parents, I wouldn’t be here without the love and belief you have for me. I love you both more than anything and I dedicate all the success I’ve had to you. Thank you, for everything.
