by Ian Maule
William Poteet has a gift to be able to do college level math at the age of ten. While many people see this as lucky, William must walk a delicate balance between achieving his academic potential and fitting in socially with his peers.
A Father at 60
In the hilly countryside of Fordsville, Ky., 60-year-old Faron Cox spends his days in the same double wide trailer where he spent his childhood. Following the loss of his father in 2006, Cox inherited the home in addition to the expanse of land he now looks after.
At an age when most are retiring, Cox faces the daily challenges and struggles of raising his two youngest sons, Faron “Bear” Cox, 8 and Skylor “Tiber” Cox, 4.
Reality hits often for Faron as he finds himself worrying about the demands of childcare and his diminishing health. He relies on his disability check and pain medication for his back to get through the fiscal and physical challenges of each day.
A tense and complicated relationship with the children’s mother leaves Faron as a single father. Now, he questions the time he has left to watch his children grow.
Connected
George Wolffbrandt loves his land.
He has lived, worked and raised his family on the 200 acre farm for 25 years, where he his wife Cheryl grow their own food and raise livestock.
The property is dotted with old cemeteries, historical sites and endangered species but may soon have to share the space with a proposed $400 million two-lane road that would stretch 13 miles between I-75 and US 27 in Nicholasville, Ky.
Of the highway’s potential routes, one runs directly through Wolffbrandt’s farm.
Headliner
At 40 years old, wrestler Chris Michaels, of Franklin, Ky., still considers his life to be “pretty much neck and neck with being a rock star.” The father of three believes he’s at the peak of his career, and shows no signs of stopping. “It’s all smoke and mirrors and flashing lights,” says Michaels, “but I try to live that illusion, like I’m surrounded by women and partying all the time. Sometimes though I wish I was normal.”
by Danny Guy
One Day at a Time
Amanda Day, a single mother of three, struggles to raise her children Killian, 14, Zane, 12, and Aiyana 11 who are all on the Autism Spectrum. Physically, the Day children are considered normal but each of them has an array of sensory and developmental disorders that hinder them from interacting with the world around them. Though her children’s autism is trying on Amanda’s daily life, it is their love for one another, she says, that always keeps them moving forward.
By: Katie McLean
The Sisters
A nun is defined as a woman who is a member of a religious order, especially one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are 21st century queer nuns. They live with modified vows of traditional nuns and raise awareness for LGBT organizations.
Another Life
Jackson Cofer has completely separated himself from Tina Maria. Tina is a person of the past as Jackson now leads a new life in Lexington, KY with support from friends and family.
Further From Alone
While struggling to reclaim his life, Terry Kessenger finds a way to reconnect with his son.
Second Time Around
After a marriage each and 16 years apart, James and Barbara Taylor reconnected and shortly thereafter were exchanging vows. Now, the two have found contentment halfway through life and turned hobby into profession. Operating out of a shop beside their home in Bowling Green, Ky., the couple have worked and lived together in harmony for over 24 years.
– Danny Guy and Rae Emary, WKU
Culture of Wrestling
Who better to understand the ins and outs of a sport than a photographer who has not only covered it over the years but was a successful high school athlete.
WKU photojournalism Senior Ian Maule was a competitive wrestler in high school and has focused his cameras on the sport at the pinacle of the high school season, the state championships.
Photo by Ian Maule
Brighton head coach Sam Amine kisses Aaron Calderon after beating Detroit Catholic Central’s Alec Mooradian, winning the MHSAA Division 1 Individual Wrestling Finals at 152lbs. “He had the choice to go 145 but he told me he wanted to be the best. I said to be the best you got to beat the best,” says Armine on Calderon’s win over Mooradian, who was going for his 4th state championship, “I promised him this.”