RELEVANT & REAL
Compassionate Storytelling JMC photojournalism majors remember Flight 93 JMC Professor David LaBelle and nearly one dozen students from his photojournalism and advanced photojournalism classes traveled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to the Flight 93 National Memorial on September 10 and 11.
both powerful and eye opening. “I learned way more than I expected on this trip,” he said. “Having shot many events of all sorts of features for the Stater, including emotional memorials, I thought I knew what to look for. But this was different. This trip taught me the importance of opening your eyes and being attentive to what is going on not just in one area, but all around you. I really focused hard on capturing more unique moments the entire time I was there, looking for the quiet things that no one else noticed. I am so glad I went to Shanksville and got to view this powerful memorial.”
The hijackers on Flight 93 planned to attack Washington D.C.; however, the courageous actions taken by 40 passengers and crewmembers prevented that attack from happening. This year marks the 13th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and on Flight 93. The students had the unique opportunity to photograph the annual memorial service held in Shanksville.
opportunities for students in the near future. “The more we can get students out of the classroom—away from someone talking ‘at’ them —the better, richer the learning experience.” ■
Family members of the Flight 93 passengers and crew placed forty candle lanterns at the Wall of Names as part of the luminaria program.
LaBelle hopes to create more experiential learning
LaBelle, who has taken groups of students to Shanksville for the past five years, said that he believes in giving students exposure to hands-on learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
The students had the challenging task of capturing the solemn mood of the memorial and visually telling the story of the fallen heroes of Flight 93. Sophomore Graham Smith described the trip experience as
Photos: David LaBelle
“I believe in experiential learning,” LaBelle said. “I learn so much about their personalities, strengths, weaknesses and fears by watching and learning with them, and I think they learn a lot watching how I approach strangers.”
JARGON | FALL 2014 | ISSUE 1