This is your community in photos.
Arts, sports, celebrations, memorials and more make up the planned and unplanned moments we observe. During the course of a year, Columbia Missourian photographers are sent to over a thousand photo assignments. Many of these assignments are the standard news and sports events that make up the daily report on our community, creating that “first draft of history” we are charged with.
Chiefs fan Porschae Oglesby screams in excitement after a touchdown while watching at the Power and Light District in Kansas City. Fans watched the game on massive screens.
Thousands cheer during the game. The Chiefs poured 17 points into the fourth quarter in a battle to the finish.
Ginger Schweikert shows off her glittery True/False-inspired makeup look during the film festival’s opening night gala and jubilee March 2, 2023, at the Missouri Theatre. Schweikert is a True/False Q Queen. The Q Queens are famous for managing the event’s lines.
Brianna Keingatti, bottom, lifts Ella McClung while she practices with her dance team Feb. 27, 2023, at Columbia Performing Arts Centre. Keingatti performed contemporary dance routines during her performance.
Kira Bennett, left, holds Natalie Anne Heath as she dips into her side on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Memorial Union in Columbia. This is the second annual Valentines Ball for the Mizzou Ballroom Dance Club. “A lot of people who come are a part of competition and it’s just a way to bring people together socially,” Bennett said.
Patricia Ruitcel and her husband, Graham Davies, share a slow dance Feb. 14 at the Callaway Senior Center in Fulton. Davies, originally from Blackpool, England, met his wife at 54 Country, a dance hall in Fulton.
At just three weeks old, Lillian Hook reacts to music being played by Emily Pivovarnik, MU Health music therapist, on March 2 at the Women’s Hospital. Lillian was born Feb. 10 and had surgery on Valentine’s Day. As mom Kara Hook cradles Lillian, dad Benjamin hums lullabies to the tunes of Pivovarnik’s guitar.
Various creations by Damon Coyle sit on a table at the Patient Centered Care Learning Center. Coyle said he feels like he has one foot in the medicine world and one foot in the art world with the work he is doing. “I think there needs to be more of an understanding that art and science aren’t these two separate industries or ideas,” he said.
Jocelyn Moore hugs a teammate after her turn on vault Feb. 19 at the Hearnes Center. Moore scored a perfect 10 for that vault pass, earning her SEC Co-Specialist of the Week and contributing to MU’s win over No. 5 Alabama.
Tolton’s 126-pound wrestler Frank Ruether celebrates his win over Fatima’s Cody Strope during the first day of the MSHSAA Boys Class 1 State Championships at Mizzou Arena. Ruether came back to win with a pin after being seven points down.
Battle senior Jakel Lambert attempts to pin Capital City freshman Leyton Opare during their final dual meet of the season on Jan. 17 at Battle High School. Lambert won with a pin over Opare.
Tara Thomas sits inside Memorial Union as she and other protesters watch the UM System Board of Curators meeting on Feb. 9. Thomas was part of a group of 60 students demanding access to emergency contraceptives for all students. “It’s a matter of life and death for many students around the campus,” she said.
A 40-foot rainbow arch sails over the front steps of the Missouri Capitol on Feb. 7 during a rally. Several groups attended the rally to fight against bills hardening LGBTQ+ rights.
Representatives listen to Rep. Dean Plocher address the 102nd General Assembly on the first day of the 2022 legislative session on Jan. 4 at the Missouri Capitol building in Jefferson City. Plocher was elected Speaker of the House.
Three generations of women, Rebecca Franklin, left, her daughter Judge Kayla Jackson-Williams, center, and her granddaughter Mackenzie put the robe on the freshly sworn in judge on Jan. 20 in the Boone County Courthouse. Judge Jackson-Williams is the first Black woman to be a Boone County judge.
Kymon Warman, left, and Henry Valdivia enjoy the sunshine on March 15 at Peace Park. “Peace Park really is my spot,” Warman said, “Either here or by the columns.”
Between gigs on Easter Sunday, Bryan Bishop’s 3-year-old son, Jabari Bishop, plays with the Easter Bunny head that Bryan uses as part of his freelance bunny business. Brian had never done anything like this before but the experience left him open to expanding the costumed offerings.
Sarai Buckins, 11, performs with The Dancing Divas during the March March on Friday, March 3, 2023, on Ninth Street in Columbia. “I really enjoyed doing that. It was really fun to get to really dance,” Buckins said. “I hope that [the crowd] enjoyed it.”
Beth Shepard uses two spatulas to flip a large pancake after cooking breakfast for Breakfast Station Day participants on May 19 at Flat Branch Park. This was the last pancake of the morning as they had combined the last of the batter during the Bike, Walk & Wheel Week event. Local Motion, a transportation equity group, set up booths around town offering a variety of breakfast foods and drinks for the morning.
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“The key to great pancake making is patience.”
— Beth Shepard
Beautician and stylist Lauren Jones puts a salon cape on Noadiyah Jones on April 26. Jones and other Black MU students find ways to maneuver around Columbia’s lack of Black haircare products. “Getting your hair done is self-care,” Jones said. “If you think you look pretty, you’re gonna feel better.”
Sen. Angela Mosely stretches in her chair while listening to colleagues April 27 at the state Capitol. During her first legislative session as a state senator in 2021, Sen. Mosley and her husband, Rep. Jermond (Jay) Mosley, passed House Bill 402, becoming the first married couple to pass a bill together in the Missouri General Assembly.
Brett Tintera cruises down the double-yellow line on Burr Oak Road near the burr oak just off the Katy Trail. Tintera was riding during the 14th annual Pedaler’s Jamboree.
Sealed containers of cannabis sit on a light display for the COMO30 Cannabis Cup on April 16 at the Knights of Columbus Building.The competition allows local growers to receive awards for their plants in a variety of categories.
Paul Ray gives a tour of Standard Wellness cannabis growing facility on April 10, in Vandalia, Missouri. Standard Wellness is both a growing and manufacturing facility, which creates cannabis products for medical and recreational users. The facility has about 40 employees and is currently hiring to meet demand.
Battle High School seniors get ready to sign letters of intent for their future endeavors after high school on April 19 at Battle High School. After signing their letters, the seniors paraded through Battle Elementary to greet students there.
Mizzou all-girl cheer squad member Sam Mygatt prepares for a basket toss at the National Cheerleaders Association College Nationals Competition in Daytona, Florida, on April 7. Mygatt is currently a junior on the squad graduating a year early, so this was her last time competing with her team.
Rock Bridge High School football player Quentin Lea pauses as he looks at a memorial for teammate Evan Avery on May 6. At the vigil held on the school’s football field, fellow players and classmates signed Avery’s jersey and football helmet.
Columbia Police Officers tell Tina K. that she needs to leave her camp that morning at the site located near the interchange of U.S. 63 and Interstate 70. “There’s not enough time,” Tina said. “I don’t even think two months would be enough time.” Several residents had left in the days leading up to the evictions.
Catherine Armbrust talks to Tina K. as she wipes a tear after the two embraced. Armbrust is a member of CoMo Mobile Aid Collective and was part of the crew helping folks to remove items from the encampment.
Jerry Venneman and Keyara pull belongings from their camp along the shoulder of highway 63 in Columbia. Keyara and Venneman had finished packing their items up by early morning. The night was sleepless with the impending eviction.
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“There’s not enough time, I don’t think two months would be enough time.”
— Tina K.
Sakil Mahmud prepares to dive into the water for underwater hockey practice Aug 10 at Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center in Columbia. COMOdo Dragons Underwater Hockey Club started practicing on July 27 and met weekly.
East Broadway is a racetrack for Clay Sibst as gravity pushes him down toward Providence Road on June 11. The Mid-Missouri Soap Box Derby is an annual event that marks early summer.
Madison Rapp, 10, cuddles with Snow White in the downtime before the 4-H Breeding Sheep Show championship. Rapp was trying to calm her nerves Aug. 12 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. After Snow White was born in January, Rapp took care of her every day after school. Rapp and Snow White won 4-H Reserve Supreme Champion.
Kieley White, 12, sits back with a smile after her team scored the game-winning goal in Rocket League on July 29 at Columbia College. Campers at the “Girls Who Game” summer camp also played tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game allowing players to fully create a character.
Alex Dickerman, right, rounds the corner at Ninth and Elm streets during the Criterium at the Columns on June 25. It had been about 20 years since crit racing had taken place in Columbia.
John Drzich flips off the diving board May 29 at Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center. Drzich is from Texas but is working in Columbia for the next three months. “I started diving six years ago,” Drzich said. “Having a coach has really helped me progress.”
From left, Courtney Sparks, Paige Stark, Riley Howell and Ness Montgomery watch as a Venture Out instructor climbs up the first challenge of the Odyssey high ropes course July 31 at Venture Out in Columbia. The participants learned about proper safety practices on the course.
Andrew Henson leads a camel on Tuesday, July 18 at the Boone County fairgrounds in Columbia. Fairgoers could ride the camels for $10.
During one of the daylong etiquette sessions hosted by the Friends of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion, Paisley Martinez listens as the table etiquette teacher discusses table settings on June 7 in Jefferson City. Among the highlights of the day were a three-course meal for parents and guardians and an appearance by the First Lady of Missouri Teresa Parson.
Ma’Laejha Baldwin leads a dance routine on June 24 at the Noble Court subdivision in Columbia. The Dancing Divas, a local dance group, performed as a birthday surprise for India Jordan Stemmons, one of the area’s founding members.
Grandma Glee draws eyes and a mouth onto a balloon animal on July 7 at the North Arts District in Columbia. Passerbys gathered near to watch Grandma Glee perform magic tricks and dance to music playing nearby.
Shukuru Mateso celebrates with his mother after the Douglass High School graduation ceremony on May 19 at the Missouri Theatre. Once out of the ceremony, his family places blue flower leis over his graduation robe. “It’s great to have the people I love here with me today,” he said.
Christopher Steward walks kids and families through the launching of the weather balloon on Sept. 14 at Stephens Lake Park. The weather balloon collects meteorological data through a device attached to it.
Firetrucks and hoses sit on Ninth Street with a ladder going to the True/False Film Fest offices on Sept. 15. The fire started in the festival office, damaging it and Tellers Gallery and Bar. With about $75,000 in losses, the festival stated that it is on track for 2024.
Battle head coach Matthew Herman watches the coin toss on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 at Capital City High School in Columbia. Herman returned to Battle this year, replacing former coach Jonah Dubinski. Cara Penquite/Missourian
Orella Kassabaum, 4, puts a flower in her mother’s jar Oct. 5. Kassabaum was helping her mother by picking up flowers and bringing them to her.
Paddlers set out from Hartsburg during the 14th annual Race to the Dome on October 7. The event, organized by Missouri River Relief, brings awareness to the river and the wildlife that surrounds it. Two races were run, one from Hartsburg and one that started in Providence, 15.8 miles and 27.6 miles respectively.
Linda Stuart watches her husband Barry Stuart pet their puppy-in-training, Penny, on Sept. 13 at Love Coffee. The Stuarts are first-time Canine Companion volunteers. “She’s perfect,” Linda said about Penny. The event was intended to educate people with disabilities on whether a service animal would be right for them. People with service dogs sat at coffee tables waiting to talk to anyone interested in the furry friends at their feet.
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“She has helped me realize there’s a lot of life left, a lot of positivity left, and I need to keep moving forward.”
— Michelle Blake, talking about her service dog
Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz, center, holds quarterback Brady Cook back after a missed penalty called against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.
Rock Bridge players warm up before their Class 6 District 4 semifinal game against Francis Howell Central on Nov. 3 at Rock Bridge High School. Rock Bridge won 69-32.
From left, Matt Rose, Randy Timmerman, Brandon Russell and Wes Stratman work behind the scenes in the press box on Sept. 15 at Tolton High School. During the game, Rose and Russell managed the time, Timmerman updated the scoreboard, and Stratman announced.
Danae Chambers, 3, looks up at her sister Amiyah Lockett, the starting pitcher for Hickman during the national anthem Sept. 12.
Rock Bridge senior Matthew Frerking jumps in celebration with Emily Ryan after hearing his name for Homecoming King during the halftime of Rock Bridge’s game against Battle on Friday, Oct.6, 2023 at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia. This was the fifth win of the season for the Bruins.
Jayllia and Kristopher Viridian listen to speakers in support of gender-affirming care for minors at a rally for transgender youth Sept. 15 at Jesse Hall. Jayllia started hormone therapy a year ago, while Kristopher started five years ago. The two were married on the previous weekend. A law blocking minors from puberty and hormone treatment was passed during the summer.
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“We’re all human, so to say that our rights don’t matter is saying that human rights don’t matter”
— Raea Mills, she/they, parent of a non-binary child
People listen as May Hall speaks in front of Columbia City Hall. MU Health Care recently announced that they would cease gender-affirming care for minors.
From left, Rhianna Goyea, 17, Lina Goyea, Emily Goyea-Furlong, and Emmett Furlong watch the bus drive up on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Sturgeon, Mo. Rhianna Goyea was present through the transition to the four-day school week and now picks up full shifts at work.
Molly Johnson scans her shelves to find a snack for Jasper Burton, 11, on Oct. 11, at the Park Avenue properties. Burton initially grabbed a bigger bag of Chex Mix, but Johnson knew he was just going to spill it outside. She gave him a smaller, stale bag of granola instead. “He’s a good kid, and I’ll miss him,” Johnson said. Renovation plans by Columbia Housing Authority will upgrade the living conditions for 120 units and add 52 more.
Isleen Atallah speaks to a crowd on October 10 during the Vigil for Palestine at MU’s Speakers Circle. Atallah came to Columbia two years ago and said she tries to visit her family every summer. “I do not know if there will be a Palestine to return to,” Atallah said of the recent warfare in her homeland.
Missouri running back Cody Schrader yells while he is lifted on his teammates’ shoulders after the Tigers’ win against Tennessee on Nov. 11 at Faurot Field.
