Goodbye North Carolina, Hello Montana

My 8-month stint at the Rocky Mount Telegram came to an end on March 28th, 2014. It was such a learning experience in so many ways. I will miss my coworkers and some of the amazing people I met out and about in the community, but I'm really excited for my next adventure! I accepted a full-time staff photographer position at the Billings Gazette in Billings, MT, and start on April 10th. 

I can't wait to start fresh somewhere new and beautiful. Considering some of the events of the past couple months, I know it's exactly what I need. I'm nervous, excited, scared, thrilled and more. But mostly I can't wait to start making photos in Montana!

In the meantime, here is some of my favorite work from my final 2 months or so at the Telegram. This time around, everything is in chronological order. 

Dr. Smita Sampat wears a "bindi," a traditional Indian decoration that wards off bad luck, on her forehead at the International Festival of Cultures on Saturday March 1, 2014, at Nash Community College.

Chase Wheeler, 7, carefully adjusts his pinewood derby car on the race track during the Scout Show on Saturday March 1, 2014, at Golden East Crossing Shopping Center.

Alexus Hill hugs her mother Nicolette Hill after Northern Nash's 57-45 loss to West Craven High School at the NCHSAA Eastern Regional Semi-Final game Wednesday March 5, 2014, at Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville.

Northern Nash's Kiana Thomas, left, and CeCe Harrison, right, jump for a rebound during Wednesday night's Eastern Regional Semi-Final game against West Craven High School March 5, 2014 at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville.

William Enzor, 4, middle, watches while Kevin Valentine, 4, right, points out his gums during a presentation about taking care of your teeth by pediatric dental hygienist Angel Mills on Tuesday March 11, 2014, at Braswell Memorial Library. 

Kileak Pittman, 4, rests inside a playground equipment bubble to soak up some sunshine Friday March 14, 2014, at the A.J. Richardson Head Start Center.

Owner of FishTails Pet Shop Brittany Brenner holds a Red-Eyed Tree Frog at her 105 E. Church Street location in Tarboro. FishTails Pet Shop sells guinea pigs, parakeets, hamsters, fresh water fish, a variety of reptiles as well as accessories and food for all types of pets.

Rocky Mount police officers try to hold back Christy Carrothers, playing the mother of the crash victim, during the VIP for a VIP mock crash, an event that informs high-schoolers of the dangers of drunk driving, Thursday March 20, 2014, at Rocky Mount High. 

Yattie Williams, 63, wipes a tear from her cheek as she recounts the traumatic March 5th hit-and-run accident that killed passenger Tony Leonard, 51. Williams, a volunteer driver for the Twin-County 55 DAV Chapter in Rocky Mount, had left the Greenville VA Clinic and was traveling south on N.C. 43 when a driver made an illegal pass, causing the accident that took Leonard's life.

All-Area Basketball: Dante Battle of Rocky Mount High School.

All-Area Basketball: Alexus Hill of Northern Nash High School.

All-Area Wrestling: David Guevara of Tarboro High School.

All-Area Swimming: Jen Jackson of Nash Central High School.

Kimora Davis, 6, left, throws a pie in the face of fellow club member Laderrick Marshall, 17, right, while Unit Director Ashley Banks, middle, watches in surprise Friday March 28, 2014, at the Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nash/Edgecombe Counties.