Well, more like 1.9 right now. There are still a few things to finish, some wet paint and blue tape if you will, before the official re-launch. I anticipate that to happen the same week at the VPA/VNPA meetings on April 21, which will be a great chance to spread the word about what all has changed.

Managing this website has been a learning process for me, since the site was conceived one year ago, then researched, built, launched, taken down and (is currently being) revamped. In the last few months I have been working with a graphic designer and a WordPress programmer to help smooth over the look and functionality of the site. I feel like the improvements are (or will be) undeniable.

Please stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, I encourage you to create an account, have a look around and let me know what you think. I appreciate your interest and I hope you return often!

-Parker Michels-Boyce

Not to show too much bias but I have always said that if I had kids, I would send them to Bass Elementary School. The school is in the heart of the city’s inner city and statistically teaches the poorest in the area. What is so inspiring about Bass though is that despite this fact, their test scores are also the highest. Prior to knowing this, every time I have photographed there over the years, I left feeling so impressed with the dedicated staff, passionate principal Leverne Marshall and fantastic children. I knew there was something special about this school and now there are the numbers to prove it. I was so honored to recently have the opportunity to spend some time at Bass for a more in depth story about the secret to their success. It is truly a place where as Marshall always says “where hope begins and dreams come true”.

To see the audio slideshow I produced click here!

Virginia University of Lynchburg hasn’t had a football team in 57 years. We decided at the paper it would make a great story to follow these guys as they begin their first season.  I was amazed at the access we were allowed and tried to take advantage of the opportunity and make intimate pictures of the players.

Click here to see the multimedia piece.

Tropical Storm Lee brought some serious flooding to some parts of Woodbridge, VA.  I visited a trailor park during the aftermath.  Trailors were swept off their foundations, SUVs ended up in trees.  People just had to pack what they thought was salvageable into garbage bags.  No one was killed or seriously injured, which was a surprise, considering the scope of damage.

I went to a skateboarding park groundbreaking ceremony, and a skateboarding camp was going on in the parking lot, after the golden shovels etc.

I found a spot, and basically waited until I was able to capture a photo with enough separation and balance.  I liked this one.

 Every week men and women from Cowboy Action Group dress up in their finest western wear and play cowboys and girls. There are chaps, guns and yee-haws galore.  To soak in their full western splender, check out the soundslide here!  Thanks y’all!

Wow! A really powerful ending to “A Chance in Hell” project about a NATO combat hospital in Afghanistan. A really unique look at the home front.

Take a look here. HOME l FRONT

Jill Nance of The News & Advance just won two Second Place NPPA Best of Photojournalism Multimedia Awards for Feature Audio Slideshow and Sports Audio Slideshow.

Here are links to the winning slideshows:

Sports Audio Slideshow “Comeback Coach”

Feature Audio Slideshow “Special Needs, Special Drivers”

Ross Taylor will be on WHRO to talk about an upcoming project…here is what he wrote on facebook.

For those interested in hearing about our upcoming afghanistan project, on the trauma hospital, we’ll be on the local public radio program tomorrow at noon – you can listen from their website. publication for the project is set for this sunday.