By Lauren Michelle
“Infinite diversity in infinite combinations…symbolize the elements that create truth and beauty.” -Commander Spock

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; because behind every photograph there is a story. As I walked by a group of men of different ages and various ethnical backgrounds I was taken back by the beauty this picture created. It captured something unique something beautiful that has taken our world decades to accomplish. Although, we as a society have come a long way there are still many individuals and cultures that judge a population by the color of our skin, the car we drive, or the makeup of one’s appearance. Throughout time we have separated ourselves through religion, culture, and economic status. To me this was a moment I wanted to capture and I was given the opportunity to do so.

My initial assumption was that they were all studying for a class; yet one should never assume. After I snapped a few shots; we spoke about what it was they were studying and how they came together. Two of the men were students and two were not. They had met through one another and found a common area of interest. They were studying in a sense, but it was not for a class it was for the joy of learning. They were discussing the bible and I have to admit I was taken back for a moment, speechless. We talked for some time, we laughed we smiled and as I walked away I realized I gained an unexpected gift: a moment of clarity. When we take a chance, a risk we are more often than not rewarded for our courage; this is what fuels our fire giving us the momentum to do it all again.

As I stated earlier; I turned around for more than just a photograph I turned around for a story, or at least a piece of one. I thank all of these men: Glenn Petruzzi, Liam Rottkov, Ramen Scott, and Stepfan Jones for sharing with me a moment of their lives, for me this is priceless.
Or just a quote-