Before his time
November 5th, 2008This has been a little slow to go up, but I wanted to have new content for my Web site redesign.
This was shot in St. James, Mo. as a possible addition to the Missouri Photo Workshop book on the town. Fifteen MU photojournalism students and professor Rita Reed returned to this south-central Missouri town for an extended weekend to try and round out some of the coverage for the book, which is due out next year.
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Story summary:
Earl Briggs had to grow up faster than some of his classmates at St. James High School.
He moved out of his parent’s home when he was 16. Things were too chaotic around there — too much drinking and too much drama, he says.
He moved into an apartment with a friend and got a job at McDonald’s to pay the rent.
Earl is now a senior with one foot still in his youth, and the other firmly planted in the adult world.
Earl is a right guard and a nose tackle on the St. James High School varsity team. The team traveled two hours to DeSoto, Mo., and had a 1-7 record going into the game.
DeSoto brought a larger line to the Friday-night matchup, but Earl said their players were “weak.”
Trailing 28-0 at halftime, coach Greg Harlan lectures the team for forgetting the week’s practices.
Earl said he was frustrated with his team’s 59-7 loss.
Earl talks with girlfriend Carissa Dixon after the game. They have been together for two years and currently live in Earl’s apartment.
As the only student among his friends who lives on his own, Earl’s porch is the default spot to hang out day and night. Earl and his friends smoke, drink and stay up late.
Earl gets ready for work on a Sunday afternoon. During football season, he works during the weekends. He works 40 hours per week during the rest of the year.
Earl and Chris Zachery are roommates, teammates, best friends and coworkers. They plan to move to Springfield, Mo., after graduation to earn their heavy equipment operator’s licenses.
The End
And now for a few outtakes…
Earl in auto collision repair class on Friday morning
Girlfriend Carissa wanted to stop by this yard sale after school let out.
Earl did not.
The team watches their DeSoto opponents warm up.
Check out the work of my classmates:
(If I missed one, please let me know)