Freshmen Caden Cope and Ryan Higman practice Jeet Kune Do outside the Student Recreation Center Sept. 24. Cope, a third-generation Bruce Lee student, practices this version of martial arts to keep his “skill sharp, create agility, and form structure,” so he will be prepared for any situation in a fight. (Tri Duong | The Collegian)
Everyone has a story. In recognition of this, The Collegian photo desk has worked to diversify the stories being told in our community and celebrate individuals and their stories through the Fort Collins Focus.
Fort Collins Focus photos are typically found on the second page of print editions of The Collegian , but this gallery has compiled all the stories told during the first semester of the 2020-21 school year.
The Collegian Photo Director Anna von Pechmann and Photo Editor Lucy Morantz are excited to be able to share these stories told by The Collegian photo desk with the rest of our community.
Julian Oertel looks back at his mother, Teresa Oertel, who is saying, “Look at you being so strong!” as he pulls on the wagon of pumpkins at The Bartels Farm Oct. 3. (Tri Duong | The Collegian)
Colorado State University economics graduate student Emefa Mensah poses for a portrait before her microeconomic analysis II class begins on campus Sept. 1. When asked how she feels about being back on campus for class, Mensah said, “I do feel good. It’s nice to see human beings again after such a long time.” (Pratyoosh Kashyap | The Collegian)
Hundreds of protesters stand and listen to speakers in Old Town Square protest police brutality and speak on Black Lives Matter June 5. (Devin Cornelius | The Collegian)
Rangers watch and film with their phones as a motorcade of emergency service vehicles begins the memorial procession for Larimer County Department of Natural Resources Ranger, veteran and Colorado State University alumnus Brendan Unitt at the intersection of Timberline Road and Drake Road Aug. 28. Unitt drowned at Horsetooth Reservoir while on duty Aug. 20. (Anna von Pechmann | The Collegian)
Canvas Stadium stands in low-hanging smoke from both the Lewstone fire near Rist Canyon and the Cameron Peak fire near Cameron Pass Aug. 23. (Devin Cornelius | The Collegian)
Laura Ahner holds up a COVID-19 test in a testing tent outside of Aggie Village Aug 20. Students working the tent noted that most people they interacted with wore masks and adhered to social distancing but voiced concerns about how off-campus behavior could affect the semester. (Ryan Schmidt | The Collegian)
Colorado State University professor of entomology Boris Kondratieff discusses various aspects and determinants of water quality with Heidi Pruess, a resident of Fort Collins, Sept. 13. The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas organized the program in which community members collected and examined invertebrate species that are found in the Cache la Poudre River. (Pratyoosh Kashyap | The Collegian)
Colorado State University President Joyce McConnell looks at the LEGO Old Main model created by CSU associate professor Doug Cloud in honor of CSU’s 150th anniversary, Sept. 8. (Gregory James | The Collegian)
Colorado State University Special Olympics athlete Tyler Anderson winds up a throw in a game of cornhole Sept. 16. The CSU chapter of Special Olympics Colorado played cornhole and kickball outside the Student Recreation Center on the basketball courts and Intramural Fields to start the year off. (Gregory James | The Collegian)
Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell talks to Butterfly Cafe General Manger Emmy Reinke as he pays for his breakfast Sept. 23. “It’s one of my favorite places,” Troxell said. (Anna von Pechmann | The Collegian)
Freshmen Caden Cope and Ryan Higman practice Jeet Kune Do outside the Student Recreation Center Sept. 24. Cope, a third-generation Bruce Lee student, practices this version of martial arts to keep his “skill sharp, create agility, and form structure,” so he will be prepared for any situation in a fight. (Tri Duong | The Collegian)
Gabe Gallegos finishes a skin-fade haircut for his son Aayden from his at-home barber studio. Gallegos is self-taught and has been cutting hair for 10 years in various barber shops around Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. “This is my passion,” Gallegos said. “I have held many jobs to build up to where I am at with cutting hair. One day I hope to open my own shop and make this completely full time.” His passion has passed along to Aayden, who said, “I want to be a barber when I grow up, just like my dad.” (Connor McGrath | The Collegian)
Romario Romain and his dog Saint out for a training session in Old Town, Sept. 28. Romain works in the Colorado State University biochemistry department and trains Saint in his free time. Saint can be found on Instagram @saint_the_king_sorso. (Bella Johnson | The Collegian)
Michael Labozo improvises while playing one of the community pianos located throughout Old Town Sept. 30. Labozo earned his master’s degree in acupuncture and accredits his passion for the practice to the fact that his “last life was in China,” Labozo said. “I was killed in 1969 (by) the Chinese government, … and I reincarnated in 1973.” (Lucy Morantz | The Collegian)
Colorado State University graduate Ethan Zeller fly fishes on the Thompson River in Estes Park Oct. 10. Zeller brings his partner’s dog, Cooper, to the river as often as he can. “I actually started fly fishing this year,” Zeller said. “I wanted to get out on the river more, and I would be crazy if I wasn’t out here all day with a fishing pole.” (Anna Tomka | The Collegian)
The newly painted Black Lives Matter street mural leads to the entrance of the Visual Arts Building Oct. 13. Students and faculty worked together from Oct. 9-10 to paint the mural. According to the Colorado State University department of art and art history, “This outdoor exhibition space will feature rotating installations that integrate art, society and education.” (Lucy Morantz | The Collegian)
Colorado State University Korean dance club member Corinne Wilson dances at the front of the line in a filmed performance at Campus Crossings at Ram’s Pointe tennis court Oct. 18. (Anna von Pechmann | The Collegian)
Life of the Party costume store worker Chany Rasmussen welcomes customers at the shop entrance Oct. 28. Rasmussen has been working at Life of the Party for 12 years. (Tri Duong | The Collegian)
Third-year health and exercise science major Griffin Ganz uses a trainer kite on the Intramural Fields on Oct. 31. Ganz has kitesurfed on the North Shore of Maui and wants to try snowkiting, “where you basically rig up the same big kite with a harness and everything except you ride on snow,” Ganz said. (Ryan Schmidt | The Collegian)
Psychic, medium and spiritual life consultant Gaynol Wapotich performs a psychic reading at Northern Lights Crystals, Books and Gifts located in Fort Collins Oct. 20. “I’ve never had to use tarot cards,” Wapotich said. “People who use tarot are channeling through the image on the card and not the person themselves.” (Cat Blouch | The Collegian)
Colorado State University first-year student Lev Meyers studies in Morgan Library courtyard on Thursday, Oct 22. Meyers is studying business, hoping to open his own beer garden. Meyers moved from California to CSU because of his love for mountains and because he received a scholarship. Meyers said, “I could probably take off my flannel right now, but it’s just extra cozy,” Meyers wants to create a chain of beer gardens throughout Colorado called Bux Brews, where his menu would feature a small selection of “delicious food and more than 50 different brews.” Meyers wants to work for himself, creating his own schedule and employing other people. Though it’s risker, “I think it’s worth it,” Meyers said. (Emily Seale | The Collegian)
New Era Colorado activist and Colorado State University 2013 alum Bryan Connolly performs on The Plaza Nov. 3. (Lucy Morantz | The Collegian)
Julia Kemper, fifth-year Colorado State University engineering student, and Monica Dzialowski, a regular volunteer at the Fort Collins Rescue Mission and CSU alum, serve food during the dinner shift Nov. 4. “We’ve moved locations recently,” Dzialowski said. “It just takes some adjustment is all.” (Cat Blouch | The Collegian)
Haleigh Vargo reads a list of names in the Sutherland Community Garden during the roll call of fallen military members Nov. 11. The event was held to honor Veterans Day and United States military members who have died since Sept. 11, 2001. Flags were also offered to passersby to plant in the grass, and participants engaged in the national moment of silence at noon. (Matt Tackett | The Collegian)
Allison Hall residents Max Duncan, MJ Adam and Brenden Bobby sit and watch a football game Nov. 15. Every Sunday, they gather in the lounge to watch football and work on homework together. (Emily Seale | The Collegian)
Wear It Again, Sam vintage clothing store owner Kim Sewald shows off a 1970s necklace from the front counter display Nov. 18. Sewald has worked in the store for 18 years and saved up money to buy it in 2018. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2002 with a degree in history and uses her degree to curate the items in the store.
“I think my whole point in life is keeping dreams alive,” Sewald said. “All of these clothes come from somebody who passed away, estate sales or were passed down in a family. They need to live on.” Sewald can be found on Instagram @wearitagainsam (Anna Tomka | The Collegian)
Siblings Dakota and Sierra Montez recently reopened the Fort Collins Academy of Bartending in Old Town. They are preparing for their October course sessions, as the September rotation just wrapped up. They teach different classes for various levels of experience, and these are listed on their website for enrollment at fortcollinsacademyofbartending.com.(Connor McGrath | The Collegian)
Fort Collins local Nora Baker, 16, practices her daily skating routine at Northside DIY – Atzlan Skatepark Sept. 28. Baker began skating when she was 5 years old due to influence from her brothers and dad. She finds it challenging to be a female in a male-dominated sport, as “There are eyes on you the whole time,” but Baker has found a family among the other skaters at this park. (Ciara Sackett | The Collegian)
Anna von Pechmann and Lucy Morantz can be reached at photo@collegian.com or on Instagram @101avp and @l.m.visuals .