FACES
OF SRJC
May 11 – August 10, 2017
Exhibit Opening: May 11th 3-5pm
Mahoney Library Gallery
SRJC Petaluma
680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway
Petaluma, CA 94954
In the mid-1990’s I had the honor of participating in the Family History Photo Project at Modesto Junior College. The project was modeled after the brainchild of a multi-disciplinary faculty team from Mesa Community
College that eventually sparked the national Faces of America 2000. It highlighted the community through an
exhibit of photographs submitted by ordinary individuals choosing to share a part of themselves and their heritage. It was a uniquely personal and honest expression of who we were in that moment. I was deeply touched
by the response the community had to the exhibit and the reactions families had during the opening reception
to seeing photos of their loved ones and their personal history on display in a public gallery. It has been a dream
of mine to replicate this same experience for another community and I’m truly grateful that Santa Rosa Junior
College and the SRJC Petaluma campus is where that dream has become reality. Now perhaps more than ever
in the history of our country is a time that calls for us to look into the faces of our community and celebrate the
richness of who we are together. Thank you for joining us and for giving me another opportunity to share the
faces of our beautiful SRJC community!
Dr. Jane Saldana-Talley, Vice President, SRJC Petaluma
Photography Judges:
Juan Arias, Hispanic Serving Institution Director
Dr. Amanda Morrison, Intercultural Center Coordinator
Jerry Thao, Counselor
Funded by a grant from the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation-Randolph Newman Cultural Enrichment Endowment.
For more on the Faces of America 2000, go to:
http://www.sdccd.edu/public/events/we/Online/Fall2000/fall00WE-3.html
In March of 2017 an open photography call was sent out to the Santa Rosa Junior College community. We asked
individuals who were current and former students and employees to submit photos that represented who they
were and what they valued. The categories for submission were wide and varied and included themes such as
memory, identity, family and travel. We asked for summaries of the photographs to give a small window into the
importance of each photo. We received an overwhelming volume of photographs in return. Each photo came
with beautiful stories depicting humor, spirit, loss, and courage. The pages that follow offer a snapshot of the
Santa Rosa Junior College community. Please enjoy.
Sami Lange, Mahoney Gallery Coordinator
A special thanks to those who worked especially hard to put on Faces of SRJC: David Rau, Jessica Harris, Jesse
Hilsenrad, Juan Arias, Dr. Amanda Morrison, Jerry Thao, and Lauren Kerr.
Cover photos
Top left: Lekkyes Dakwakas, page 8;
Top Right: Lauren Servais, page 38;
Bottom right: David Rau, page 6Z
FACES OF SRJC
IDENTITY
Submission: Amy Malaise
“Framily at Lala’s Creamery,” 2017
The world has gotten much more complex in its relationships, and families now come in all shapes and sizes. Our
biological family is very small but has grown by encompassing friends. Friends who become family. Framily.
Submission: Sheila Cunningham
“Emma and Nuala, Doran Beach,” 2016
1
This photo is of a spontaneous trip to Doran Beach on a warm spring afternoon with Emma, our amazing SRJC
exchange student from Sweden, and my daughter Nuala. Emma and Nuala were inseparable “sisters” and friends
for Emma’s entire six-week stay, and played together often at this beach.
FACES OF SRJC
IDENTITY
Submission: AB Hsieh
“Working Towards Goals and Dreams,” 2015
These were international students who were completing their time here at SRJC. I was asked to help with the
photos one afternoon in April. They were such a great group. It was clear that they had bonded and were excited
to be part of the SRJC experience.
Submission: Claudia Muralles
“Three Generations – Tres Generaciones,” 2014
We were finishing breakfast before we headed to the airport to return to the U.S.A. It was Ellen’s first visit to
Guatemala, therefore she learned about her roots. It was my first visit since I left in 1993. I reconnected with the
place I came from.
2
FACES OF SRJC
IDENTITY
Submission: Erin Daniels
“Enjoying our coast,” 2013
Neither my husband nor myself grew up in Sonoma County. Although we have now lived in Sonoma County
20 years, we both continue to deeply identify with the regions in which we grew up. Our son (pictured here),
however, is a Sonoma County native. This picture reminds me that Sonoma County is his ‘home’ and his sense
of identity will always be deeply rooted in the beauty and space and rambling roads that make up this region.
Here he plays in the Russian River at Goat Rock Beach.
Submission: Lauren Servais
“Mauka and Makai,” 2006
I have not lived in the place I am from for nearly two decades, but I still can’t bring myself to say I’m from here.
I’ll always be from these mountains and this ocean.
3
FACES OF SRJC
IDENTITY
Submission: Himanshu Pykurel
“Dashain,” 2014
This photograph was taken on the occasion of the biggest festival of Nepal: Dashain. In this festival, all family
members come together in peace and harmony and look forward to strengthening family bonds. The elders give
blessings to their young ones and apply red tika on their foreheads.
Submission: Whitney Schultz & Maryam Attai
“Rudolph the Red,” 2017
Our VP is red, violets are blue. She’s showing support of American Heart Month, women and love too. This photo
of Dr. Mary Kay Rudolph, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, was taken on Valentine’s Day, 2017, but
it encompasses her spirit the whole year through. She is a courageous, supportive and loving VP, colleague,
community member and friend.
4
FACES OF SRJC
IDENTITY
Submission: Nancy Dominguez
“Sin Fronteras,” 2017
This picture was taken during a visit by Chase Iron Eyes at SRJC (Santa Rosa Campus.) Chase Iron Eyes is an
American Indian, Politician, Water Protector, Activist and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. I chose
this picture because it represents SRJC students fighting to further their education while fighting against
injustices in our country. I am a first-generation student of color and I represent all the faces at SRJC who
struggle to excel despite the disadvantages we face.
5
FACES OF SRJC
MEMORY
Submission: Catherine Williams
“Happy Times,” 1977
I am 4½ years old and attending Happy Times Preschool in San Francisco. It is a sunny day in the city and I am
“painting” the wood play structure with water. It was a challenge to get the whole play structure covered before
the sun dried it out. I relished the challenge and worked with speed to achieve it, carefully, so that every inch
was “painted”. It is a reminder for me of childlike grace, how I found pure joy in a repetitive task that ended with
no accomplishment. I did not paint the structure on foggy San Francisco days because there was no challenge
in it. Can I find that same joy in my repetitive tasks today?
Submission: David Rau
“Field of Rocks,” 2008
I was born and raised in Novato, California and spent a lot of time hiking in the hills around my family home.
This is a view near the top of Mount Burdell, which the native Miwoks called Olompali. There was once a large
Miwok village at the eastern base of the mountain, which is now Olompali State Park. The photo, looking east,
shows the remains of a rock wall built by Chinese laborers in the late 1800’s.
6
FACES OF SRJC
MEMORY
Submission: Davina Nguyen
“Go Giants!” 2017
My best friend since middle school recently moved to Oregon for college and I rarely get to see her. It’s hard for
her to visit a lot due to her school and work schedule. Therefore, every time she comes home we always try to do
something memorable and nothing is more exciting than a Giants game!
Submission: Diana Perez
“Seal Rocks Beach,” 2016
7
This picture is unique because of the design that was done in the sand by a man on a electric scooter. He proposed
to his girlfriend right after creating it. The design gives such a beautiful spark to the picture and brings out the
beauty of the ocean. Also, if you look close there is a heart shape on the rock in the back.
FACES OF SRJC
MEMORY
Submission: Ginamarie Lopez
“Mother and Child: Timeless Connection,” 2016
Though I often feel disconnected from my Aztec and Mexican roots, this portrait reminds me that the connection
that a child feels to his mother transcends time and culture, and I am part of this timeless connection. Wrapped
closely to his mother’s chest in traditional textiles, the baby peeks out and gazes in wonder. He calls me to remain
in wonder, to look at my own desire to know, love and serve the Creator as the ancient Aztec dancing rituals
continue to demonstrate to this day. I took this photo at the Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa campus
celebration of El Dia de los Muertos in November 2016.
Submission: Lekkyes Dakwakas
“Week of Arrival in the U.S.,” February 17th, 2015
This photo means a lot to me and signifies family, home and culture. This photo was taken during our first week
of arrival in the States and was the true definition of HAPPINESS and JOY in our family. You can see the broad
and courageous smiles on our faces. It truly is a fulfilled historical moment for my family.
8
FACES OF SRJC
MEMORY
Submission: Maria Lucas
“Another Year of Collecting Memories,” 2017
This photograph was taken by my mother, Mariela, the day of my nineteenth birthday. It captures the pure
beauty of my hometown Sonoma during the Christmas and New Year’s spirit. This photograph also captures
one of my best features, which is my long black hair.
Submission: Bob Peterson
“Santa Lucia Day,” 2003
9
When I first started working at the SRJC we had this STNC come in and work at the beginning of each semester.
She was in her 80s and had emigrated from Sweden in the late 1940s. She was so full of life. She got very excited
when I told her I was of Scandinavian descent. She asked me every year if I wanted to come to the Santa Lucia
festival, to bring my children, and that it was a wonderful celebration of her culture. My family and I finally
attended it with her in 2003. Here is a picture of my kids with her in her traditional dress.
FACES OF SRJC
MEMORY
Submission: Sheila Cunningham
“El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, Winter,” 2015
For a brief few minutes the mist opened to reveal the towering presence of El Capitan on a cold winter day at
Yosemite National Park.
10
FACES OF SRJC
FAMILY
Submission: Ann Foster
“Family Selfie at Dillon Beach,” 2016
The beach has always called us when we need time away; Doran Beach, Salmon Creek Beach, and Dillon Beach
help us connect, rejuvenate, and wrap ourselves in the beauty of Nature. This selfie, taken just before ringing in
the 2017 New Year, captures the joy we feel when we are together, at the beach, and feeling grateful.
Submission: Barbara McClure
“Montana Home: Framing Begins,” 2016
11
My husband and I bought property more than a decade ago that sits on a bench above the Madison River in
Montana. This past summer we began building a summer home. The framing shows what will be the view from
the great room, facing the river.
FACES OF SRJC
FAMILY
Submission: Breanne Cassells Photo Credit: Joanne Cassells
“Moments of Togetherness,” 2017
I am an SRJC alum and current English major at UC Berkeley. I also work at the JC in the PALS program and
writing center. But my most important job is raising Jordan, Amelia, and Caroline with my husband, Brandan.
Working, taking a full course load, and commuting to Berkeley make it difficult to spend as much time together
as I would like. That makes me cherish the time we do get together. This picture, taken on an Easter where I blew
off all my homework and ignored my phone, reminds me of why I work so hard , and who I’m doing it for.
Submission: Claudia Muralles
“My Motivation,” 2016
Here are my girls taking their baby sister to gymnastics class. The oldest one is a cheer and dance coach, the
middle one a cheerleader, and the little one an athlete in training.
12
FACES OF SRJC
FAMILY
Submission: Erika Mena
“Home,” 2017
This photo is of the first time visiting and meeting my family from my mom’s side after 18 years. The best
memories we had took place mostly at the beach.
Submission: Ian Millsapugh
“My Grandfather, G. W. Millspaugh in his Navy Uniform,” 1943
My grandfather, GW Millspaugh, in his Navy Uniform, stationed in Guam during WW2. The war ended while he
was on the boat.
13
FACES OF SRJC
FAMILY
Submission: Jerry Thao
“Sea Stars (Five Sisters),” 2014
I owe a great deal of who I am to my four older sisters. My parents worked from sunup to sundown and so it was
my sisters, along with my grandparents, who raised me. As the youngest sister I’ve always felt loved, protected,
and supported. Three years ago they hosted my bridal shower at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco and you can
tell how happy I am to be surrounded by my sea-stars.
Submission: Jessica Pardoe
“Exuberance in a Bow,” 2017
My son reminds me every day that squealing with delight is often the best approach. May we all live as though
these are our first moments on Earth.
14
FACES OF SRJC
FAMILY
Submission: Joey W. Smith
“Juan and Bennett Swap Stories,” 2016
At Shone Farm, Farmer Juan holds 7-month old Bennett, who is the son of Bryanna, who managed the garden
with me and Juan until Bennett was born.
Submission: Lauren Kerr Photo Credit: Stella Berry
“Chewy,” 2013
15
This is a photo of my dog, Chewbacca. He was a rescue dog that our friends found on the street next to a dumpster
in Santa Rosa. He was skittish and scared of the world - even scared of large leaves blowing in the wind. We were
patient and kept training him, coaxing him into letting us groom him, and making sure he got the veterinary care
he needed. After lots of love and patience, he’s now a playful, happy dog. It is amazing to see his transformation
from a cowering little thing to a running, playing, and super-friendly animal.
FACES OF SRJC
FAMILY
Submission: Sami Lange
“Duke,” 2016
This is a photo of our beloved greyhound in the morning just before he passed away. He was the most gentle,
beautiful animal I have ever met and had the honor to care for. We miss Duke very much and he has forever
changed how I value and look at the world.
16
FACES OF SRJC
TRAVEL
Submission: Scott Snyder
“Sunrise from the Snow Field above Trail Camp, Mt. Whitney,” 2016
This photo was taken on one of my semi-annual trips to Whitney with friends. We started up from Trail Camp at
3am, and took a break to enjoy the sunrise.
Submission: Canon Crawford
“Arch Rock, Joshua Tree,” 2017
Spring break is a perfect excuse for a road trip across California. I offer a non-selfie (no one fell off the rock)
perched on Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park.
17
FACES OF SRJC
TRAVEL
Submission: Esmeralda Lopez
“Parroquia de San Nicolas de Tolentino en Actopan Hgo,” 2017
This picture was taken to remember one of the best vacations I have taken. The church is very beautiful inside
and out. I was able to admire it from my hotel.
Submission: Greg Drukala
“You are very far from home, Snoopy,” 2016
I never imagined that the Peanut gang and specially Snoopy had such a great and devoted following in Japan.
The Snoopy Museum in Tokyo was on our itinerary when we visited this great city because I have a special
sentiment for the little beagle and because he is such an important feature of Sonoma County. The affection the
Japanese have for Snoopy filled our hearts with joy and gave us the big smiles you can see in the picture.
18
FACES OF SRJC
TRAVEL
Submission: Kimberly Perez
“A Quick Getaway,” 2017
This photograph was taken while my family and I were on vacation in Mexico. We were passing through
Manzanillo, Mexico on our way to the beach. There were miles and miles of just palm trees.”
Submission: Lisa Beach
“Kayaking in Tahiti,” 2014
19
Seeing Tahiti with my husband and friends was a dream come true. We kayaked, snorkeled, danced, sailed,
swam and relaxed. We visited each island from a small ship docked in the craters formed by ancient volcanoes,
and we spent a couple of soul-soothing nights in an over-water hut watching birds and fish and hearing the
sounds of the sea. It will always be the place I “go” when someone says to picture your happy place.
FACES OF SRJC
TRAVEL
Submission: Mel Kurt Pacaldo
“Sierra Nevada Sunset,” 2010
This was taken on Ward’s Peak in the Sierra Nevada Range in California when I was with my parents on our
winter break vacation. At the time, the company that my step-father worked for had a company cabin that
they all shared and that we could use to spend time as a family. So it was really fun to just be there and spend
quality time with my family. One of the selling points was that every day a sunset would roll over the mountains,
giving the whole mountain an orange tint which I marveled at very much. This photograph commemorates that
memory, so I can carry it with me for the rest of my life.
Submission: Scott Snyder
“Venice Dream,” 2014
An accidental double exposure led to this image of my wife standing on a small bridge looking at a map.
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FACES OF SRJC
TRAVEL
Submission: Sherrie Smith
“I Kissed a Whale and I Liked It,” 2017
I traveled with Road Scholar to see the gray whales in Baja, Mexico in February. They migrate south 10,000
miles each year, the longest migration of any mammal. In some of the high-salinity lagoons, the whales give
birth, mate, or play. This whale approached our boat several times in San Ignacio Lagoon and enjoyed being
the center of attention. At one point, she lingered so long, the Captain told me to kiss her. I hesitated maybe a
millisecond, then thought, “I am never going to have this opportunity again.” What an experience! Here she is
spy-hopping.
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FACES OF SRJC
SRJC COMMUNITY
Submission: Abby Bogomolny
“The Crow of Emeritus,” 2012
The Crow of Emeritus sits peacefully watching and waiting for us all.
Submission: Beverly Hinkle
“SRJC Vocational Nursing Class,” Fall 2008”
This photo is of the Vocational Nursing Program’s Fall 2008 class. As a retired faculty, I have been fortunate to see
many vocational nursing students go onto great success after graduating from SRJC’s Vocational Nursing Program.
Vocational nursing graduates obtain certification as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and many obtain employment
at various health care settings which include hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and doctor offices. Some
become RNs. One of my LVN graduates, Cindy Carver, now operates a certified nursing assistant program.
22
FACES OF SRJC
SRJC COMMUNITY
Submission: Gino P. Muzzatti Photo Credit: Vicky Sarmiento
“Teaching ESL Vocational Students How to Follow a Recipe for Tiramisu,” 2017
Sometimes teaching English as a Second Language takes you on a vocational path as you prepare students for
the English-language demands of studying for a certificate- in this case Culinary Arts. This photo was taken
during a cooking demonstration on reading and following a recipe for the Italian dessert- tiramisu.
Submission: Jo Ann Gaglione
“ANDRE!” 2014
23
Meet Andre. A dedicated student at SRJC, Andre was one of our student employees at Petaluma Media Services
and Instructional Computing for over 6 years. In addition to being a current SRJC student, Andre now works for
AT&T Park, Oracle Arena, and recently got a job at Levi’s Stadium as an AV Tech.
FACES OF SRJC
SRJC COMMUNITY
Submission: Jo Ann Gaglione
“Day Under the Oaks Performance,” 2015
This is a photo of the performance group Hui Pulama Mau, booked for Day Under the Oaks. The performance
was a moving experience and the audience watched with awe. Dancers left to right: Jessica Selinger, Dawn
Kēhaulaniokawaokele Kennedy, Shirley Ke’alohi Ahsing.
Submission: Karen Petersen
“El Día de los Muertos,” 2006
This is a photo of folkloric dancers celebrating El Dia de los Muertos in the Petaluma Campus courtyard. Every
year, SRJC Petaluma celebrates El Dia de los Muertos with a variety of performances, lectures, and campus and
community altars.
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FACES OF SRJC
SRJC COMMUNITY
Submission: Karen Petersen
“Rainbow,” 2008
The Petaluma campus often has a mysterious glow after it rains. This particular day, the clouds were beginning
to open, and I could see a beautiful rainbow facing the hills near Mahoney Library.
Submission: Katrina Smith
“Enlightened Snail,” 2017
This is a photo of a learned snail after he visited the library.
25
FACES OF SRJC
SRJC COMMUNITY
Submission: Taylor Colvey
“Ceviche in a Kaleidoscope,” 2017
This photo of Jessica reflects our Gateway to College Academy student: a bit spicy, a little zesty and all superhero.
Submission: Yesenia Hurtado
“Butter and Egg Days Parade,” 2016
The photograph was taken at the Butter and Egg Days parade 2016. It captures the cheer and spirit of the day as
well as the friendship amongst this group of SRJC Bear Cubs.
26
FACES OF SRJC
SRJC COMMUNITY
Submission: Andre Siedentopf
“SRJC Fallen Tree,” 2013
This was our beautiful iconic oak that stood in front of the Santa Rosa campus. It was over 250 years old. A
powerful storm knocked him down in November 2013. It was a very sad day.
Submission: Andre Siedentopf
“Future SRJC PSTC Cadet,” 2013
This was a picture of my son (AJ) taken when he was 5 years old. He was wearing a hat I had just got at SRJC
Public Safety Training Center. I dubbed him SRJC Future Cadet!
27
FACES OF SRJC
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Submission: Alicia Virtue
“Farm Fresh Eggs,” 2016
A visit to a bio-dynamic organic winery in Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Valley led to this self-serve, honor-based
sales table. Sonoma County agrarian commerce at its finest!
Submission: Sheila Cunningham
“Nuala and the Cow,” 2016
On our way over to the Farmer’s Market on 4th Street in Santa Rosa, my daughter Nuala asked if she could feed the cow.
28
FACES OF SRJC
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Submission: Maria Banachowicz
“On Top of the World in Petaluma,” 2013
At our favorite Pumpkin Farm (which doesn’t exist anymore) in Petaluma, Greg conquers a hay bale hill. It felt
like climbing a titanic mountain. What a joy to reach the top!
Submission: Jesse Hilsenrad
“Abstract Tree,” 2008
Trees provide an interesting depiction of the neural pathways of the brain. I like to imagine that the branches
represent millions of memories and the light source behind the trunk represents consciousness.
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FACES OF SRJC
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Submission: Jo Ann Gaglione
“Farmer Riley,” 2015
Riley’s way of helping at the Shone Farm Harvest Festival is to pick and eat strawberries.
Submission: Monique Muhlenkamp
“Petaluma Pony,” 2013
Friends abound on the beautiful backroads of Sonoma County that I frequent on my bicycle. How could I not
stop by and give this guy a nose rub?
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FACES OF SRJC
LOCAL COMMUNITY
Submission: Yesenia Hurtado
“Petaluma Día de los Muertos,” 2016
This photo is of a community altar for the Día de Muertos celebration in the city of Petaluma. Día de Muertos
Altares are an opportunity to honor and remember our dead while keeping alive a Mexican tradition.
31
FACES OF SRJC
HISTORY
Submission: AB Hsieh
“Of Times Past,” 2016
I took this photo of a past SRJC student at the Hood Mansion in Santa Rosa. She is wearing her grandmother’s
wedding dress in one of the sitting rooms. The Hood Mansion belonged to one of the early families of the
area. As a bit of a history buff, I was excited to be able to shoot in this building. This student was wearing her
grandmother’s wedding dress, which fit her perfectly. I thought there was a bit of serendipity, seeing the student
wearing her grandmother’s dress in a home from about the same era. I wanted to create a romantic, gauzy feel
to the image that reflected the early era of Sonoma County, connecting that past to the present. Moreover, the
student is actually getting married this year, albeit in a more contemporary dress!
Submission: Eve Miller
“Calixte Francois Bousquet,” 1900
This portrait was taken of Great-Grandfather upon graduating with his PhD in Chemistry from the ParisSorbonne University. This degree led him to travel all over the world and eventually to move to sunny California.
He first brought his family to Quebec, Canada in order for them to learn English and avoid the world war raging
in his homeland.
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FACES OF SRJC
HISTORY
Submission: Dr. Jane Saldana-Talley
“A Man’s Game,” 1952
This photo was taken at my Aunt Rhetta’s house in Akron, Colorado. I was a year old that summer. My mother was 24 and three
months pregnant with my brother, John. We had traveled with my grandparents from California to visit relatives in Colorado.
The first time I saw this photo I was just captivated by the almost perfect way in which my mother’s image is framed by male
laughter and that outrageous décor. Card playing was a passion with the men in my mother’s family. Mom learned to play from
my grandfather who enjoyed wagering away her allowance as the price of a lesson. She had a knack for numbers and eventually
quit losing. When this photo was taken, Mom was the only woman in the family to sit in on card games. She went on to raise five
children, teach mathematics, and retire as a high school librarian. In photo: George Wagner (my great aunt Grace’s husband),
Claudine Rupp Grogg (my mother), Floyd Grogg (my maternal grandfather), Ern(est) Henry (my great aunt Rhetta’s first husband)
Submission: Jessica Green
“Climb Every Mountain,” 2016
33
Growing up I spent every Fourth of July in Mt. Shasta with my family, where we participated in the morning fun
run, watched the small town parade, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Last summer I returned after an almost
20-year break from the tradition.
FACES OF SRJC
HISTORY
Submission: Jo Ann Gaglione
“Dodge Ball in the Heat,” 2016
Associated students playing dodge ball at SRJC Petaluma one hot afternoon.
Submission: Karolina Nazario
“Apple Picking,” 2015
This photo is of Xavier Nazario picking apples at an orchard in Sebastopol with our daughter Zosia. I grew up
picking all of my own produce in Poland, and so taking Zosia for the first time to pick her own apples was very
special. Sonoma County is a perfect place for getting back to nature, any time of the year.
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FACES OF SRJC
WHERE WE COME FROM
Submission: Monique Muhlenkamp
“Horses on Parade,” 2009
Horses play a large role in much of Sonoma County’s agricultural history. Today they are showcased in many of
the county’s parades and I loved the fierce pride in this young man’s face.
Submission: Nate Musser
“My Wife and Mount Saint Helens,” 1980
35
This is a photo of my wife Jessica at just over a year old playing in a field as Mount St. Helens erupts behind her.
Also pictured is her newborn baby sister Katy, now my sister-in-law. Jess’ story is a part of my story, and I think
this photo is a remarkable snapshot of a historic day.
FACES OF SRJC
WHERE WE COME FROM
Submission: Anne O’Toole
“Still Life,” 2016
I am an avid composter and... from time to time I find something in my lunchbox worth recording.
Submission: Amy Malaise
“Picking Apples at Chileno Valley Ranch,” 2016
One of the reasons why we love to live in Sonoma County is that it gives us the opportunity to know where our
food comes from. It is such a treat and a privilege to pick our own apples each year.
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FACES OF SRJC
WHERE WE COME FROM
Submission: Brenda Arango
“Bittersweet,” 2010
In this image I’m holding one of my cousin’s dogs on the patio of our grandma’s house in Oaxaca, Mexico. My
grandpa passed away a week after it was taken, and although I love going there, it’s always bittersweet now.
Submission: Karolina Nazario
“More Than a Wedding,” 2012
37
If you look closely you will see a Polish flag hanging on a palm tree in Puerto Rico. Our wedding day was the first
time my father had been on an airplane to leave Poland and the first time all of my family felt an ocean breeze.
Our ceremony was in three languages, and we followed American, Polish and Puerto Rican customs. We danced
to Disco Polo, Salsa and did a Cha Cha Slide. It was my American Dream.
FACES OF SRJC
WHERE WE COME FROM
Submission: Lauren Servais
“That Feeling of Being Home,” 2009
Each year we journey home to Hawai’i to see our family and to take in everything we miss while we’re in Sonoma
County. It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be home; this image is a start.
Submission: Monique Muhlenkamp
“These High Golden Hills,” 2014
I was particularly taken with the contrasts between the hills, the stormy sky, and the black birds. This is a picture of
the Sears Point Ranch which is part of the Sonoma Land Trust. I am thankful for the protection that the SLT offers.
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FACES OF SRJC
WHERE WE COME FROM
Submission: Phyllis Usina
“Florida Visit,” 2016
Northern California is my beloved and chosen home. I have resided here since I was 20, far more years than I
lived in the state where I was born and raised. Yet, the strong sense of coming home never fails to overwhelm me
as I drive the flat pine tree bordered highways.
Submission: Rich Lehrer
“Railroad Crossing,” 2016
39
This photo is of a nondescript railroad crossing near mile marker 281 on the Montana Interstate. I liked
two technical qualities about this photograph. I liked the way the lines worked, not only the long road going
toward the mountain, but also the intersecting roads crossing at right angles. I also liked the colors; they were
reminiscent of full-out summer. Admittedly, this frame was one of several I exposed, but for this frame I used
a setting on my camera to enhance the colors and make them more vivid. Overall, I liked the final effect. Does
it represent me? Yes. I grew up in the farm country of Pennsylvania where summer was green and winter was
brown. I still haven’t gotten used to the opposite being true here in northern CA where the summers are brown,
and the winter is green.
FACES OF SRJC
WHERE WE COME FROM
Submission: Rich Lehrer
“Wants to Play,” 2016
I think he wanted to come out and play. He seemed really happy that someone was paying attention to him on
this lazy afternoon. This photograph was taken within a mile of the Railroad Crossing. I pulled off the road to
photograph some water and water-plant flowers. When I looked across the road, here was this horse in his own
corral with his own barn. This photo was a purely serendipitous collision of circumstance; me, the horse, the
corral, and the light was right. I like this photograph because I know how challenging it can be to photograph
animals. They don’t follow direction well, and therefore you need to anticipate your vision and shoot when it
comes together. Don’t believe me? Try photographing bugs close up...
Submission: Scott Snyder
“Frost and Leaves on Deck,” 2016
I love my home, the land it’s on, and the endless joy it brings me with little things like frost on some leaves on a
cold winter morning.
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