This picture was taken on the University of Michigan-Dearborn's campus where I work. This is my nephew who is currently enrolled as a Pre-k student in the Child Development Center on campus. He has been enrolled at the CDC since the age of eighteen months! UM-Dearborn represents one great attribute of our great state of Michigan today, that is the vast quantity of Universities (commuter and otherwise) and community colleges available to everyone. While I'm employed at UM-D, I attend Washtenaw Community College as a photography student. Higher education is something of necessity that the residents of Michigan can no longer ignore. With Michigan's economy facing the problems at hand, higher ed is a key role in looking ahead to the future. Fortunately, Michigan still has a wealth of opportunity.

As a portrait photographer, one of my favorite things about Michigan is the great outdoors! My favorite seasons being fall and spring, I cannot imagine spending my life in a place that doesn't have a change of seasons. Having lived in other states for brief periods of time, I came to realize; Michigan's climate is definitely for me! Who doesn't love the colors in the fall? Or those first whispers of spring with the birds chirping, flowers blooming and trees budding? I treasure that smell of fresh air after a bitterly cold winter. Michigan winters are harsh, but the coming of spring makes it all worth while!  I'm not particularly fond of ninety-five degree temperatures in the summer, but the cool autumn breeze bringing down the leaves feels more like home than anything I know. That's why I took this photo of my nephew, in essence it captures the child in all of us; taking the time to create a huge pile of leaves only to toss them in the air without a care!

The changes I see necessary for Michigan are simple, we all need to focus more on enjoying the pure things in life, appreciate what we have and be grateful to live in such a beautiful place and to treat the environment accordingly. We must teach our children at a young age that getting a good education is key to a successful future. Let's all work together to be true humanitarians, care for our neighbors as we do ourselves, not late fear and anger drive us to hatred. I wish these changes for further than our great state, but real change starts at home, and together we can make a difference. My vision for Michigan's future is for people to unite and push forward, work harder for a stronger economy and brighter tomorrow.